We are very proud to have been a part of this project with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution that is featured in this NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration episode.
Hydrothermal vents are the closest analog in the search for life on other ocean planets, at least as we currently understand it. Although far away from any sunlight, at high pressures and temperatures, and very low pH, lifeforms are thriving in these extreme environments with the help of chemosynthesis.
Observations and measurements from moons in our solar system, such as Jupiter’s moon Europa, suggest a deep liquid salty ocean under a thick layer of ice and tectonic activity, exactly the basic ingredients that form life at hydrothermal vents.
Moreover, our oceans are a good analog of deep space missions. Low bandwidth with interrupted communications and no way to support the space or deep ocean probes if something goes wrong, is pushing the development of robotic resilience, autonomy, and onboard decision making.
We are grateful that Dr. Richard Camilli from WHOI and his team trusted us for the glider’s hardware modifications and for the field operations for this mission.
