This Crazy Robot Could Explore the CAVES of Titan [NIAC 2026]

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Titan Dragonfly is one of the most exciting missions in development. But it'll have its limits. For example, it won't go into caves on Titan. Which are super interesting. But this NIAC project will study a robot that should be able to go there.

🟣 Guest: Dr. Daniel Drew
https://danieldrew.me/

📜 Solid-state Propulsion for Autonomous Reconnaissance of Karst (SPARK)
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/niac/niac-studies/solid-state-propulsion-for-autonomous-reconnaissance-of-karst-spark/

👉 All 2026 NIAC Selections
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/niac/niac-studies/niac-2026-selections/

00:00 Intro
01:31 What is karst
05:59 The NIAC project
23:28 Alternative use cases
27:48 Earth-based version
32:27 Current obsessions
39:49 Final thoughts


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