A two-dimensional lander proposed by NASA for exploration of planets According to a recent report from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), NASA has approved the development of a revolutionary concept called the "Two-Dimensional Planetary Surface Lander." This innovative design resembles a small, flexible carpet that could potentially revolutionize how we explore distant worlds. If this project moves forward, it could soon be deployed on outer planets or even asteroids. As part of NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, 12 groundbreaking proposals were selected, and the 2D lander is one of them. NASA will provide initial funding to turn this idea into reality. These concepts are chosen for their potential to reshape future space missions, offering new capabilities or enhancing current exploration methods. Dr. Hamid Hemati, the lead researcher from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, described the lander as a "flying carpet" with soft, flexible electronics on both sides. He explained, "This is a completely new approach to landing. Current Mars rovers are large, expensive, and only have one chance to land. The cost of these missions can run into millions of dollars. Because of the high risk, mission managers often avoid interesting geological areas." The 2D lander, however, is low-cost and can be deployed in large numbers—up to 50 or 100 at a time. It can land on various surfaces, including planets and asteroids, without needing complex landing systems. Even if some units fail, others can continue the mission, reducing overall risk and increasing the chances of success. One of the key advantages of this design is its affordability and scalability. The landers can be mass-produced using a "printing" method, integrating sensors, power systems, and communication devices. Hemati added, "The solar panels are flat and flexible, just like the electronics used in smartphones and tablets. This technology is advancing rapidly, and we're leveraging it to build more versatile landers." Unlike traditional spacecraft, these 2D landers don’t require propulsion or navigation systems. They can be deployed en masse from a spacecraft and land safely on a target surface. Hemati said, "This is a different way to explore our solar system. We’re looking into using this design to land on Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, and even Mars." Despite the exciting potential, the research team still faces challenges. They need to ensure safe landing mechanisms and test the landers’ ability to survive extreme temperatures and radiation. Hemati acknowledged, "This is a futuristic concept. We haven't worked out all the details yet, but it's theoretically possible. Whether it works in practice will depend on further research and testing." Jewelry Microscope,Trinocular Digital Microscope,Professional Jewelry Microscopes,Stereo Binocular Jewelry Microscope Ningbo Huaguang Precision Instrument Co., Ltd. , https://www.hgopt.com