All articles tagged with #space robotics
NASA is funding and launching the LINK spacecraft, a three‑armed robot, to intercept and retrieve the aging Swift space telescope as its orbit decays, with the aim of lifting it back to a stable altitude in an unprecedented, high-risk rescue that could keep Swift studying extreme cosmic events.
NASA is racing to save the aging Swift gamma-ray observatory from fiery reentry with a $30 million robotic rescue. Katalyst Space Technologies’ three-armed Link will launch aboard a Pegasus rocket from the Marshall Islands, rendezvous with Swift within about a month, and gradually raise its orbit from roughly 224 miles to 373 miles to avert the October “point of no return.” The mission—with Swift’s instruments powered down to slow descent—could preserve valuable data, demonstrate a new US space-repair capability, and pave the way for future rescues of other observatories such as Hubble.
European researchers deployed three autonomous robots in Lanzarote’s La Corona lava tunnel to test mapping, collaboration, and decision-making for future Moon/Mars bases. The mission demonstrated self-guided 3D mapping in darkness and highlighted lava tunnels as potential shielded habitats, while noting remaining challenges in navigation in complete darkness and sensor reliability before real space deployments.
Colorado-based Lunar Outpost raises $30 million in a Series B to shift from building individual lunar rovers to supplying a robotic workforce that can prep the Moon for longer-term human presence, including Pegasus and other mobility platforms. The company argues the real value lies in infrastructure work—landing pads, power, and maintenance—done by machines before astronauts arrive, in line with NASA’s Artemis push. Success will hinge on reliable lander delivery and a robust rover-as-a-service ecosystem rather than a single blockbuster rover, potentially making robotic prep a core part of the lunar economy.
Rocket Lab announced its largest launch contract to date, securing five Neutron/Electron launches for 2026–2029 with a confidential customer, and revealed plans to acquire Motiv Space Systems to form Rocket Lab Robotics. CEO Peter Beck said pricing will stay in line with the company’s commercial rates and that Neutron demand is filling the manifest. The Motiv deal boosts in-house robotics and subsystems production (including solar array drives) and supports Rocket Lab’s push toward vertical integration and Mars/Moon mission capabilities, while the company remains cautious about Artemis visibility and aims to play a supporting role.
A robotics scholar predicts that Elon Musk's plans to send Optimus humanoid robots to Mars will likely face reliability issues and short operational lifespans, similar to past space robots like NASA's Robonaut 2, emphasizing the need for further technological advancements and testing on closer celestial bodies like the Moon before Mars missions.
SpaceX's Dragon capsule returned from the ISS with 6,700 pounds of advanced equipment, including materials tested for durability, robotic systems for satellite servicing, innovative space imaging technology, and educational materials, highlighting significant advancements in space exploration, technology, and education.
SpaceX's Dragon capsule returned from the ISS carrying 6,700 pounds of advanced technology, including space durability materials, innovative robots for satellite servicing, enhanced imaging systems, and educational materials to inspire future scientists, highlighting significant advancements in space exploration and technology.
The European Space Agency is developing Olympus, a next-generation legged robot designed to navigate and explore the rugged terrain of Mars, utilizing advanced machine learning to adapt to unknown environments, potentially serving as a vital tool for future human missions and scientific discoveries on the Red Planet.
The ESA has tested a four-legged robot named Olympus in simulated Martian gravity, demonstrating its ability to jump and navigate challenging terrain, which could enhance future Mars exploration by accessing difficult areas like lava tubes and caverns.
China has completed a simulated lunar underground environment in a volcanic lava cave on Earth to test robotic exploration and study lunar lava tubes, which could provide natural shielding on the Moon and Mars, supporting future missions including China's Chang'e 7 and the planned International Lunar Research Station.
SpaceX has evolved its plan for a human colony on Mars from initial concepts in 2017 to detailed designs featuring modular habitats, underground living spaces, and a bustling city with robotics support, aiming to establish a self-sustaining human presence on the Red Planet.
Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander, launched aboard the first flight of Vulcan, suffered a propellant leak, making a soft landing on the moon impossible. The craft still has 40 hours of fuel left to operate as a spacecraft while engineers determine its new mission in orbit. Despite facing propulsion and battery issues, the team is working to extend Peregrine's operational life and receiving data for its next lunar lander mission.
Astrobotic Technology's Peregrine lunar lander, launched aboard the first flight of the Vulcan rocket, encountered a propulsion system issue, jeopardizing the first U.S. soft lunar landing attempt in over 50 years. The faulty system is causing propellant loss, making a moon landing unlikely. The mission was crucial for ULA's Vulcan rocket, developed to rival SpaceX's Falcon 9, and for Astrobotic to fulfill a multibillion-dollar backlog of missions. The incident highlights the challenges of private companies in the renewed international competition for lunar exploration.