The Cosmic Rambler

Space Robots are literally the future of Humanity. With missions like voyager, Hayabusa, Curiosity, Mars Express, it is evident that these space robots will be the enablers for us if we are to make settlements across this universe.

In our daily life, most of our work based on human effort is shifting towards robots. Experiments are being carried out to give robots an alternative role in places where conditions do not meet the basic requirements for human survival. Some of these conditions are found to be underwater, during the study of volcanic eruptions as well as bomb disposal and bomb testing. This human spectacle has reached the height of innovation in present times. In the words of Bill Gates,
“Robotics and other combinations will make the world pretty fantastic compared to today”
This human spectacle has reached space too and robots are now part of our venture to discover the universe today.

Types of Space Robots:

Sputnik 1 was the first robot in space. This mission from the USSR was launched on October 4th,1957.
Two notable space missions are voyager 1 and 2, which were launched in 1977 and are still making their way across the solar system. These two sister robotic probes have entered heliopause (the region where solar wind starts to drop off and the interstellar wind starts to pick up).
One of the coolest robots is “Dexter”. It is actually a robotic arm stationed at ISS (International Space Station) it allows for the delicate and precise manipulation of objects outside the space station thus reducing numbers of spacewalks.

A humanoid robot is a robot that resembles the human body. Robonaut 2 or R2 is the first humanoid robot in space, it has received NASA invention of the year, and is currently aboard ISS.R2 has been tested and found capable for various purposes including telemedicine. In experiments, it was used remotely communicating and carrying complex surgical operations including ultrasound of medical mannequin.

There are various other types of robots that have been sent to space by various space agencies these types include:

• Orbiters
• Rovers
• Landers

 The first orbiter was Mariner 4 which flew past Mars on July 14, 1965, and took the first close-up photos of another planet. Viking Landers were the first Landers, Viking 1 landed on July 20, 1976. Viking 3 on September 3rd, 1976. Both Landers were accompanied by orbiters that took photos and scientific data from above the planet. Landers included instruments to search for life on the surface of Mars, but they sent somewhat ambiguous data relating to the existence of life on Mars. Spirit and Opportunity are roving away on the Martian surface, well past their expected mission lifetime and Phoenix lander returned with a wealth of information about our neighbor.

Conclusions:

Space exploration involves immensely hazardous conditions like extreme temperatures and low pressures where a person cannot survive without a spacesuit and there can be a severe loss of human life. Robotics, on the other hand, has paved the way for a safe and reliable method for space exploration that has proven to be successful so far.

Author: Amanullah Bashir (Avionics 05)