Technology
The Machines That Explore for Us
From Sojourner's cautious first steps to Perseverance's AI-planned drives, autonomous robots are transforming how humanity explores other worlds. The next generation won't need us at all.
Casey Cooper·
Mars
4 articles
Nature
The Underground Cities Waiting on the Moon and Mars
Lava tubes beneath the lunar and Martian surfaces could be large enough to shelter entire settlements. Robots are already learning to explore them.
Casey Cooper·
Science
When AI Took the Wheel on Mars
NASA's Perseverance rover just completed the first drives on another planet planned entirely by artificial intelligence, covering nearly 1,500 feet of Martian terrain without human input.
Casey Cooper·
Science
The State of Space Exploration in 2026: Humanity's Next Giant Leaps
From Artemis moon landings to Mars ambitions and commercial space stations, 2026 marks a pivotal year for human spaceflight.
Casey Cooper·