Snake robot can go to Mars

Norway's SINTEF Research Institute is working to complete a new robot design for exploring the surface of Mars. This robot looks like a snake.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has spent $ 85,000 on a project to build solid robots, capable of moving all terrain.

Snake robots are thought to be capable of wading through the complex terrain of Mars - (photo: SINTEF).

Rather than replace the self-propelled device exploring the surface of the red planet, researchers at SINTEF are looking to combine these two devices to maximize mission accomplishments.

Because the self-propelled device has a strong power source, it can provide fuel to the solid robot through cables, to maintain the robot's performance, according to ABC News.

SINTEF's Aksel Transeth says his team has begun researching the solid-robot model in June, and will complete it in December.

ESA plans to send its explorer, ExoMars, to Mars in 2016 and 2018. Meanwhile, the US Aerospace Agency (NASA), which has the Curiosity ship on the red planet, will also launched a self-propelled device by 2020.