When NASA isn't sending shuttles into space, the group apparently loves dunking robots into water. Its Environmentally Non-Disturbing Under-ice Robotic Antarctic Explorer, otherwise called ENDURANCE, is currently running a through a prep course of sorts to get ready for its final destination: the waters of Europa, Jupiter's sixth and closest moon.

On the 12th of this month, ENDURANCE made for the University of Wisconsin for a few underwater tests before its journey to the icy West Lake Bonney in Antarctica, where it will ply its specialty: creating detailed 3D maps and providing visual reconnaissance. If all goes well, NASA plans to break the ice on Europa and have the autonomous 'bot map the terrain throughout the moon's waters.

Start placing your bets now! What are we going to see? Giant space tuna? A race of malevolent, water-breathing aliens? A whole lot of boring water?

Wired, via Gizmowatch