Many aspects of space exploration are now automated, but some missions can be dangerous for humans.
Space agencies from different countries have proposed to design a series of robots space with the aim of discovering the mysteries of the universe, in this way they also do not put people’s lives in danger.
What are space robots?
These devices son integrated electronic systems with automatic control who help and replace human beings in certain space missions.
They are able to perform complex movements with great precision, have flexibility and are designed to withstand outdoor conditions Earth. According to their functionality and characteristics, they can be classified into different categories:
- internal robots: Automate the experiments carried out inside the space station.
- Humanoid support robots: These can be manipulator arms or androids that perform the daily tasks of astronauts.
- crawlers: They have a certain autonomy to land inside special vessels, they also have scientific instruments.
The Japan project
Japan launched several projects to replace astronauts with space robots. The purpose of Gitai (Japanese emoresa) is to create autonomous androids controllable from Earth in orbit.
The idea stems from the high cost of sending an astronaut into space, considering that if the substitution is made, the budget would be reduced by 90%.
robots could be manned mission support machinestechnicians would be able to direct them from a control post and carry out investigations under human supervision.
Google and NASA worked together
Google and NASA launched the “SPHERES” robots equipped with Tango smartphones to the International Space Station.
SPHERES are CO₂-powered spherical robots, while Tango was the brain of each android. Electronics performed tasks normally performed by astronautswas the size of a bowling ball and featured standard hardware in space and military applications.
Chris Provencher (SPHERES project manager) told Reuters that “we wanted to add communication, a camera, increased processing power, accelerometers and other sensors.”
The Nasa and Google performed a weightless test flight before launching the mission. The ultimate goal was to have a fleet of robots flying in formationfix things, attach instruments, and study the universe independently, that way astronauts could perform other tasks.
Russia also relies on its robotics
Fedor is a Russian robot capable of going up and down stairs, picking up a weapon or unscrewing instruments. He is 180 centimeters tall, weighs 160 kilos and was developed in 2014 on behalf of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia with the original purpose of being used in the evacuation of people from areas affected by landslides and fires.
Recently, was given the mission to check the safety systems of the ‘Soyuz-2.1a’ rocketthe aircraft carrier that Russia uses to launch manned spacecraft into space.
Kirobo was the first android to reach space.
Kirobo has become the first astronaut robot sent into space nine years ago, was manufactured by Toyotasent to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2013, measured 34 centimeters and weighed one kilo.
During the 18 months that he remained on the ISS, Kirobo accompanied the Japanese Koichi Watara in the tasks of the experiment module in his country.
The main objective was to collect valuable information to send back to EarthHowever, he also had a secondary mission, to keep Watara company during his time in the cosmos. Kirobo returned from space and retired from space missions.
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