Galactic Robots To Create Most Comprehensive 3D Map of Universe

Researchers from California have recently revealed a model for galaxy hunting robots. According to reports, the prototype system has been designed and will be used for discovering the secrets of dark matter in space and creating the most detailed and in depth three dimensional map of the Universe.

Over 200 scientists who belong to more than 45 global institutions will reportedly be managed by the Berkeley Lab to develop a 5,000 strong space bots network, called Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) which together will trace stars, black holes, galaxies and other celestial objects and galactic features to make the most comprehensive 3D map of the Universe. The first step for the project is testing the scaled down  ten-robot system  prototype, ProtoDesi, which will help the researchers monitor familiar, bright stars at the onset to check the accuracy of the robots in mapping movements in space. The initial test of the system can start as soon as August at the Kitt Peak's Mayall telescope at Arizona's Tucson.

Incidentally the space robots will measure 25 centimeters in length and will be thin, cylindrical machines which will be outfitted with two small motors to project fiber optic cables at certain atmospheric objects to capture their light, and this will be their primary goal. The cables will be among the most sensitive parts of the bot's design especially because they have to make nearly 200,000 turns over the course of their lifetime.  "If there is too tight of a bend or you stress the fiber, it will degrade its performance," said Joe Silber, engineer at Berkeley Lab. The commands for controlling the bots will be software based and precise to remove possibilities or chances of them bumping into each other as they rotate in space.

Once the prototype testing has been conducted successfully, the final DESI project will make the finest known 3D map of the Universe and explore dark energy, which is the puzzling force that is causing the Universe to expand. Apart from this, the information gathered by the space bots will be used to trace findings such as the structure of the Milky Way, dark matter and the infant Universe. The complete installation of DESI is scheduled to begin in 2018.