Discover the versatile space machines that can roll, fly, float and swim, from junk recyclers to station companions

WORDS AILSA HARVEY

Humans have been sending things into space since 1957. The technology behind space travel is considered to be one of humanity’s most impressive engineering feats. By sending robotic probes and astronauts safely beyond Earth’s atmosphere, scientists have been able to make incredible discoveries and heighten our knowledge of the universe. However, the deeper into space we explore, the further we step into the unknown and the riskier human space exploration becomes.

To help mitigate these risks, there has been a surge in the production of space robots, and  these are becoming increasingly advanced. It’s estimated that by 2030, the space robotics market will reach a value of £5.7 billion ($7.3 billion). Materials with a high tolerance for space’s extreme radiation and temperature levels are used in space robotics production, and the results are often lighter and cheaper to launch than astronauts. Although human astronauts will always be required to relay reliable information about how space environments impact human life, space robotics give scientists the opportunity to delve into the harshest environments and extend the boundaries of space exploration safely.

MORPHING MACHINE

One shapeshifting robot can adapt quickly to traverse across landscapes, carry cargo and make repairs on spacecraft: the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Mori3. Mori3 is a modular robot inspired by origami. Consisting of a series of triangular panels, the sides of each module can connect to form almost any 3D shape. The production of Mori3 is still in progress, but in the near future its creators at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne are focusing on the possibility of the shapeshifter to assist on spacecraft. The benefits of taking Mori3 to locations such as Mars include space-saving and flexibility. The robot can be stored flat and vertically, ready to perform multiple roles and adapt to both the known and unforeseen challenges of space exploration.