02x03 - Robots

[bunniefuu]

Snoopy, I see you're admiring our robots.

Robots are important tools
for space exploration

because they can do things
and go places that humans can't.

They come in all shapes,
sizes and abilities.

They can even be teamed up to accomplish
some incredibly complicated tasks.

Like working together to collect
and return samples from Mars.
Like working together to collect
and return samples from Mars.

Wow! These bots
sure have some impressive skills.

Okay, let's go. Eye on the ball.

I don't think that's what
they're supposed to be used for, sir.

I stand corrected.

Careful. It's only a matter of time
until the robots take over.

We've all seen the movie.

We really ought to expand
your arts and entertainment options.

[clears throat] Before they help us
search for life in space,

all of NASA's robots
must be thoroughly tested.

And the ones that pass their tests
get to go on the mission?

In a way, yeah.

Thanks, Linus.
Welcome to the testing site.

- Ooh!
- Neat!

Hey. Where's Snoopy?
He wouldn't want to miss this.

Snoopy, I hate to break it to you,
but your costume's not very convincing.

Do you really believe that's going to
fool CARA into thinking you're a robot

and sending you on a mission?

The first task: digging.

Rovers like Perseverance collect dirt
and rocks for scientists to study.

In this material, we might find
the chemical building blocks of life,

which are the ingredients
that make up you and me.

Well, maybe not me.

Next up: climbing.

- Wow.
- Ooh!

Interesting.

RoboSimian is a prototype, which means
our engineers are still working on it.

But it's designed to cross the rough and
unpredictable terrain of rocky planets.

[bird screeching]

[all gasping]

And finally: flying.

Designed to be the first powered aircraft
to ever fly on another planet,

Ingenuity is a special helicopter

that'll help us learn
what it takes to fly on Mars.

Later versions might give us a better
understanding of the surface of Mars

and even collect samples
that rovers can't reach.

[CARA] Excellent! Testing is complete.

This group of robots
has performed optimally

and will soon launch
on NASA missions searching for life.

All of them?

Well, except for the one that's
clearly Snoopy in a robot costume.

[laughs] I do enjoy his practical jokes.

He's got quite the imagination.

Aw. I appreciate your enthusiasm,
Astronaut Snoopy.

At the moment there's just no way
that's realistic or safe

for anyone to travel such long distances.

I guess if Snoopy's not going on
a mission, we won't be needed either.

Not so fast, Franklin.

People, and beagles, may not be able
to go everywhere robots can,

but NASA still relies on humans
to lead the missions.
but NASA still relies on humans
to lead the missions.

- Really?
- Absolutely.

Someone has to tell the robots
where to go and what to look for.

In fact, how would you
like to join the team

to help NASA search for
signs of life in the universe?

[all gasping]

[all squealing]

I'll take that as a "yes."

[buzzer buzzes]

Welcome to your new work space.

- Whoo-hoo!
- Hooray! Yeah!

I call robots!

I'll head up research.

I'll keep an eye on the monitors.

I've been training my whole life for this.

Yay! Data entry. Ooh!

And I'll keep track of the big picture.

Snoopy, where'd you go, pal?

Oh, I get it.

Excuse me, CARA,
but Snoopy's not sure how to fit in.

Well, in science,
we do need good imagination.

The power of imagination
helps us think creatively about problems

and see things in new ways.

Imagination? [chuckles]
Snoopy has plenty of that.

[whistles]

[sighs] Yes, indeed. A lot of imagination.