NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Tests ERNEST Prototype for Better Planetary Movement and Autonomy
NASA 噴射推進實驗室測試 ERNEST 原型機，以提升行星移動能力與自主性
Introduction
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has finished field testing the Exploration Rover for Navigating Extreme Sloped Terrain (ERNEST). This prototype is designed to increase the speed and independent navigation abilities of future missions to the Moon and Mars.
NASA 的噴射推進實驗室 (JPL) 已完成「極端坡地導航探測車」(ERNEST) 的野外測試。該原型機旨在提高未來月球與火星任務的行駛速度與獨立導航能力。
Main Body
The ERNEST project began in 2022 to replace the traditional suspension systems used in previous Mars missions. While older systems are passive, the ERNEST prototype uses an active suspension with powered joints. This allows the rover to use different movement styles, such as 'wheel-walking,' and switch between active and passive modes to save energy. Furthermore, the vehicle's four steerable wheels allow it to move in any direction, making it much more flexible than the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.
ERNEST 計畫始於 2022 年，旨在取代先前火星任務中所使用的傳統懸掛系統。較舊的系統是被動式的，而 ERNEST 原型機則使用了帶有動力接頭的主動懸掛系統。這使得探測車能採取不同的移動方式，例如「輪式行走」，並在主動與被動模式之間切換以節省能量。此外，該車輛的四個可轉向輪使其能向任何方向移動，比好奇號 (Curiosity) 與毅力號 (Perseverance) 靈活許多。
To make the rover autonomous, JPL engineers used a method called reinforcement learning in a detailed virtual simulation. This allowed the system to train for thousands of hours before being tested in the real world. In March 2026, the rover was tested in the Colorado Desert, where it traveled about 16 miles and reached speeds of 0.6 mph. Consequently, this is significantly faster than current Martian rovers. The team also tested the vehicle in different lighting to simulate the deep shadows found at the Moon's poles.
為了使探測車實現自主化，JPL 工程師在詳細的虛擬模擬中採用了一種稱為「強化學習」的方法。這讓系統在進入現實世界測試前，能進行數千小時的訓練。2026 年 3 月，該探測車在科羅拉多沙漠進行測試，行駛了約 16 英里，速度達到每小時 0.6 英里。因此，這明顯快於目前的火星探測車。團隊還在不同的光線條件下測試車輛，以模擬月球兩極的深邃陰影。
Funding for the project has moved from internal JPL research to support from the Mars Exploration Program. The current goal is to combine the active suspension with intelligent long-range navigation, which will help the rover move safely around dangerous terrain.
該計畫的資金已從 JPL 內部研究轉為由火星探索計畫支持。目前的目標是將主動懸掛系統與智能遠距離導航相結合，以幫助探測車在危險地形中安全移動。
Conclusion
The ERNEST prototype has successfully shown that high-speed, autonomous travel across difficult landscapes is possible, creating a strong technical basis for future exploration of the Moon and Mars.
ERNEST 原型機成功證明了在艱難地形中進行高速、自主移動是可行的，為未來探索月球與火星建立了強大的技術基礎。
Vocabulary Learning
🚀 The 'Logic Bridge': From Simple to Sophisticated
At the A2 level, you probably use words like and, but, and so to connect your ideas. To reach B2, you need to use Transition Adverbs. These words act like signposts, telling the reader exactly how two ideas relate to each other.
🧩 Analysis of the Text
Look at how this article moves from a simple fact to a result. Instead of saying "and so it is faster," the author uses:
"Consequently, this is significantly faster than current Martian rovers."
What is happening here?
Consequently is a B2-level upgrade for So. It signals a direct cause-and-effect relationship. It makes the writing feel formal, professional, and academic.
🛠️ The B2 Upgrade Path
To stop sounding like a beginner, swap your basic connectors for these high-impact alternatives found in the text:
| A2 (Basic) | B2 (Advanced) | Context from Article |
|---|---|---|
| Also / And | Furthermore | Adding more detail about the wheels. |
| So | Consequently | Showing the result of the speed tests. |
| But | While | Comparing old systems vs. the new prototype. |
💡 Pro-Tip: The Punctuation Trick
Notice that Furthermore and Consequently are followed by a comma ( , ).
- A2 Style: The rover is fast so it can travel far.
- B2 Style: The rover is fast. Consequently, it can travel far.
By placing the transition word at the start of a new sentence followed by a comma, you create a rhythmic pause that gives your speech and writing more authority.