Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS)
Richard Rieber, M.S.
Robotics Systems Engineer
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pasadena, CA
ABSTRACT: Observations of the towering cryovolcanic plumes erupting from Saturn’s moon Enceladus have revealed something extraordinary: every known atomic building block of life is present. Beneath the moon's icy shell lies a liquid water ocean, kept warm by tidal friction from Saturn's gravitational pull — providing a stable source of energy, creating the perfect environment for life. With organic molecules, water, and energy all accounted for, the only thing missing is direct evidence — and that’s the motivation behind the Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS). Designed to descend through Enceladus’ treacherous vents and explore its hidden ocean, EELS is a highly adaptable, snake-like robot capable of autonomous surface and subsurface navigation in complex, icy environments. The robot proved itself via extensive field testing on the Athabasca Glacier. This technology development program has shown that robotic versatility is critical for future space missions to the unknown, prompting us to consider the broader potential of "software-defined spacecraft" — systems designed from the ground up for flexibility and adaptability. While still a developing concept, it points to a future where spacecraft can evolve to meet changing needs as we continue our quest of understanding the unknown.
About the Speaker: Richard Rieber is a veteran systems engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he has spent nearly two decades leading mission-critical work on robotic spacecraft for planetary exploration. From commanding the EPOXI spacecraft to developing the Mars-2020 rover's mobility system and spearheading field testing of the snake-like EELS robot on glacial ice, Rich brings a rare blend of hands-on engineering, deep systems thinking, and both testing and operational expertise. He is a frequent public speaker, award-winning engineer, and advocate for designing robots and spacecraft with full life-cycle considerations—from concept through to operations. His current focus includes defining and advancing robotic and communication interfaces for the growing field of lunar robotics in alignment with NASA’s Artemis program, while also mentoring the next generation of space explorers. Rich is a lifelong outdoorsman and mountaineer, a happy father, and a perpetual tinkerer.
Combined In-Person Meeting & Webinar
6:00 pm: In-Person Reception
7:00 pm: On-line Login & Networking
7:00 pm: Dinner
7:15 pm: OSSC Annual Business Meeting
& Election Results
8:00 pm: Technical Presentation
Dinner Fee
Members: $35, Non-Members: $45, Student Members: $10
Late Fees of $10, after 11:59 pm June 6
(No Fee for attending without dinner)
Registration Required
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