As long as humans have been exploring space, we’ve relied on robots to help us get the job done.
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched an 184-pound, unmanned, beach-ball-sized aluminum satellite named Sputnik 1, initiating the space age. And in the years since the Apollo program wrapped in 1972, remote-controlled spacecraft like rovers, landers and orbiters have taken on the lion’s share of space exploration beyond satellite territory, being tasked with performing experiments, snapping photos and collecting samples.
Robots in Space
Ever since the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, countries have developed numerous robots designed for space, ranging from humanoid robots to snake-like robots. Space robots are set to take on a more prominent role as NASA prepares missions to the Moon and Mars.
As it turns out, robots are an efficient alternative to launching manned spacecraft. They not only come with a fraction of the risk, but also at a fraction of the cost. And the role of space robots is set to expand. NASA plans to embark on its Artemis Program in 2025, with the goal of establishing a long-term presence on the Moon. Robots will lay some of the groundwork, build structures and deliver payloads to the Moon. They’ll even keep astronauts company.
To get a better sense of how robots are being used in space, check out the list below. From space-junk-collecting claws to all-terrain robodogs, these semi-autonomous machines withstand harsh conditions in zero gravity to aid missions and automate space exploration.
9 Robots Furthering Space Exploration
Robonaut 2, a Dexterous Humanoid Robot
Designed by NASA and General Motors, Robonaut 2 (R2) is the next generation of the Robonaut lineage dating back to 1997. While Robonaut 1 already possessed dexterous hands, R2 complements this upper body with two “climbing manipulators” that act as legs. R2 is also equipped with sensors, control algorithms and systems for vision and image recognition. These features allow Robonaut 2 to handle repetitive or potentially dangerous tasks, so human astronauts can focus on higher-level problems.
CADRE, a Trio of Mini Rovers
Created by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, CADRE is a trio of autonomous, shoebox-sized rovers programmed to work together as a team. Each four-wheeled robot has two stereo cameras and a number of sensors. While they independently map surfaces and collect measurements, the mini-rovers form a cooperative network, communicating back and forth with one another via radio signals. The multi-robot system is slated for a mission to the Moon within the next couple of years and has already been packed for the journey.
GLIMPSE, a Space-bound Robo-dog
Based on the robotics used to build viral robo-dog ANYmal, GLIMPSE is a quadrupedal machine that will be used to traverse the tricky terrain of the Moon’s south polar region, which is believed to contain valuable resources — like metals, water and oxygen contained in rock reservoirs — that could be used to build structures or sustain life during lunar-based operations. The space-bound robodog comes with a variety of zoom-lens spectrometers that can recognize rock types. Depending on further tests, the European Space Agency may be recruiting GLIMPSE for lunar exploration in the next decade.
LASSIE, a Robust Dog-Like Robot
The LASSIE project involves preparing another dog-like robot to traverse the terrains of the Moon and Mars. Researchers from institutions like Texas A&M University and the Georgia Institute of Technology have been using Oregon’s Mount Hood as a testing ground for the LASSIE robot. Using four metal legs, the robot promises to handle surfaces that rovers with wheels are less suited for. For now, scientists continue to train the LASSIE robot to understand its surroundings and respond to challenging surfaces on Earth.
Dextre, an Advanced Maintenance Robot
Perhaps the most complex space robot ever built, Dextre is a Canadian robot that provides support on the International Space Station. The robot has arms outfitted with seven joints that support more movements than the human arm, and it possesses a sense of touch for handling delicate tasks. With a wide range of motion and a system of cameras and lights, Dextre saves astronauts from having to venture out and make repairs and installations. The robot also works in tandem with Canadarm2 — a robotic arm that transports Dextre to different work sites.
R5: Valkyrie, an All-electric, Remote-controlled Humanoid
NASA’s remote-controlled humanoid R5, nicknamed Valkyrie, can “see” using various cameras and sensors, as well as an infrared-transparent faceplate protecting a LiDAR sensor, and move via numerous small motors that permit the body to enjoy 44 degrees of freedom. Fully battery-powered, the all-electric robot can use tools, navigate difficult terrain between two programmed plot points, sustain brutal weather conditions and even dance to techno. Valkyrie is classified as a “caretaker robot,” meaning it’s designed to assemble equipment from scratch or handle maintenance repairs ahead of a crew’s arrival. NASA sees Valkyrie playing a potential role in its Artemis missions, using the robot to prepare long-term, living compounds on the Moon or Mars.
MIRA, a Tiny Surgical Robot
MIRA is a miniature robot-assisted surgical system designed to save space and time. Weighing just two pounds, the minimally invasive device can move from room to room, performing laparoscopic, single-incision surgeries without the need for draping, docking or moving equipment. While originally intended as a cost-effective solution to meet demand and ease turnover in hospitals, MIRA has shown promise as a possible tool for emergency medical intervention during space flight.
ClearSpace-1, an Outer Space Trash Collector
ClearSpace-1 is a half-ton, debris-removal spacecraft. Its main body is made up of four robotic arms that resemble a claw machine. Switzerland-based startup Clearspace designed these vessels to clutch space junk — like dead satellites or leftover rocket-launching materials — then “de-orbit” the junk with a high-velocity “destructive reentry” into Earth’s atmosphere. ClearSpace-1’s debut mission has undergone adjustments, with a new plan to use the spacecraft to capture a European Space Agency satellite.
EELS, a Bionic Space Snake
Short for ‘exobiology extant life surveyor,’ the EELS project is being developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to seek out signs of life potentially hidden below the icy exterior of a Saturn moon named Enceladus. The inspiration to model the slithery anatomy of snakes and eels is linked to the celestial body’s terrain, which hosts more than a hundred geysers that spew water, vapor and ice particles into space. The idea is that the 13-foot bionic serpent would descend into the narrow vents, and autonomously “map, traverse and explore” the underground ocean.
Frequently Asked Questions
What robots are used in space?
Orbiters, landers and rovers are three common types of space-oriented robots. Increasingly, robots are being used to support the work of astronauts, like repairing machinery mid-flight or delivering AI-powered assistance on demand.
What is space robotics called?
Space robotics can also be referred to as “microgravity robotics,” “planetary robotics” or “orbital robotics,” depending on a spacecraft’s function.
What is the farthest robot in space?
To date, NASA’s Voyager 1 is the human-made object to travel furthest in space, reaching a distance of just 69.4 astronomical units shy of the Sun on February 17, 1998.
How long can robots survive in space?
It depends on the type of robot, but most space robots can survive for many years, if not indefinitely. This is because space robots don’t need food or water like human astronauts, and some may not even need to return to Earth.
What are the problems with robots in space?
Some space robot projects may be too costly to run, especially if the main organization can’t find financial partners to sustain a project long-term. In addition, robots require the autonomy, adaptability and power resources to survive harsh terrains for extended periods of time. As a result, thorough research and testing are needed to build such complex robots.
