Session 1, 9 a.m.:

Abstract: How do you search for life on another planet or moon?  What if that planet or moon was  an ocean … or even more challenging, an ocean covered with thick layer of ice?  That is Jupiter's moon Europa!  This presentation will provide a summary of the challenges faced by the scientists and engineers in developing this robotic system named DEPTHX.  The engineering and science team, funded by NASA, had the goal of developing technology that can explore the oceans of to look for extraterrestrial life, under the sea ice, without a map and to return samples to the surface.  Brent Nowak, Ph.D. was a member of the original team that developed the payload system included a robot arm, vision, sampling and storage system.  Dr. Nowak will speak to the science, engineering, and field trials of DEPTHX.