Snoopy, I see you're admiring our robots.
Robots are important tools for space exploration
because they can do things and go places that humans can't.
They come in all shapes, sizes and abilities.
They can even be teamed up to accomplish some incredibly complicated tasks.
Like working together to collect and return samples from Mars. Like working together to collect and return samples from Mars.
Wow! These bots sure have some impressive skills.
Okay, let's go. Eye on the ball.
I don't think that's what they're supposed to be used for, sir.
I stand corrected.
Careful. It's only a matter of time until the robots take over.
We've all seen the movie.
We really ought to expand your arts and entertainment options.
Before they help us search for life in space,
all of NASA's robots must be thoroughly tested.
And the ones that pass their tests get to go on the mission?
In a way, yeah.
Thanks, Linus. Welcome to the testing site.
Neat!
Hey. Where's Snoopy? He wouldn't want to miss this.
Snoopy, I hate to break it to you, but your costume's not very convincing.
Do you really believe that's going to fool CARA into thinking you're a robot
and sending you on a mission?
The first task: digging.
Rovers like Perseverance collect dirt and rocks for scientists to study.
In this material, we might find the chemical building blocks of life,
which are the ingredients that make up you and me.
Well, maybe not me.
Next up: climbing.
Wow.
Interesting.
RoboSimian is a prototype, which means our engineers are still working on it.
But it's designed to cross the rough and unpredictable terrain of rocky planets.
And finally: flying.
Designed to be the first powered aircraft to ever fly on another planet,
Ingenuity is a special helicopter
that'll help us learn what it takes to fly on Mars.
Later versions might give us a better understanding of the surface of Mars
and even collect samples that rovers can't reach.
Excellent! Testing is complete.
This group of robots has performed optimally
and will soon launch on NASA missions searching for life.
All of them?
Well, except for the one that's clearly Snoopy in a robot costume.
I do enjoy his practical jokes.
He's got quite the imagination.
I appreciate your enthusiasm, Astronaut Snoopy.
At the moment there's just no way that's realistic or safe
for anyone to travel such long distances.
I guess if Snoopy's not going on a mission, we won't be needed either.
Not so fast, Franklin.
People, and beagles, may not be able to go everywhere robots can,
but NASA still relies on humans to lead the missions. but NASA still relies on humans to lead the missions.
- Really? - Absolutely.
Someone has to tell the robots where to go and what to look for.
In fact, how would you like to join the team
to help NASA search for signs of life in the universe?
I'll take that as a "yes."
Welcome to your new work space.
Hooray! Yeah!
I call robots!
I'll head up research.
I'll keep an eye on the monitors.
I've been training my whole life for this.
Data entry.
And I'll keep track of the big picture.
Snoopy, where'd you go, pal?
Oh, I get it.
Excuse me, CARA, but Snoopy's not sure how to fit in.
Well, in science, we do need good imagination.
The power of imagination helps us think creatively about problems
and see things in new ways.
Imagination? Snoopy has plenty of that.
Yes, indeed. A lot of imagination.