Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Muskan Arora
In a groundbreaking achievement, International Space Station (ISS) astronaut Marcus Wandt remotely controlled Bert, a four-legged robot, from space in January. This marked the first time a leg-based robot has been operated by an astronaut in space, opening new possibilities for planetary exploration, said the German space agency DLR.
Unlike traditional wheel-driven robots, Bert's leg-based locomotion enables it to navigate challenging terrains, such as hills and caves on Mars or other celestial bodies. This innovative approach aims to extend the reach of robotic exploration beyond the capabilities of rolling counterparts.
The German space agency, DLR, has been at the forefront of space robotics experimentation. Years of practice and prior experiments paved the way for this significant achievement, with the recent trial focusing on understanding the impact of time delays on robot control during space missions.
The communication delay between Earth and Mars, taking several minutes for signals to travel, necessitates new operational strategies. This challenge also applies to astronauts in orbit, facing slight time delays between their movements and the actions of surface robots.
Operating from the German Aerospace Center in Oberpfaffenhofen, DLR and the European Space Agency (ESA) jointly manage the Surface Avatar project. This venture explores the potential of innovative robotic technologies, including leg-based locomotion, for future space exploration.
Astronaut Marcus Wandt supervised Bert's independent exploration of the lab's surroundings using its camera eyes. The experiment also involved collaboration with other robots, including the humanoid Rollin' Justin and ESA's Interact Rover, showcasing a multi-robot approach.
The ESA, part of NASA's Artemis program, aims to send astronauts to the moon's surface, emphasizing its role as a testing ground for future Mars missions. The Artemis Accords seek to establish a lunar base and a sustained presence at the moon's south pole, serving as a precursor for deep-space exploration.
While robots undergo extensive development and testing for space missions, experiments like Bert's exploration on the ISS could lay the groundwork for future Red Planet missions. The technology, once proven and refined, may pave the way for advanced robotic exploration of Mars in the coming decades.