Robots in space

Robots are an important part of space exploration and are a technology that makes it possible to explore space, even under conditions that can be dangerous for humans.

A robot is what is known as a self-operating or “autonomous” machine. This means that it can sense its surroundings and react to them, allowing it to perform a specific task. Robots can carry out many different types of work, and they are often designed to perform their tasks as efficiently as possible, which means they can look very different. Most robots do not look like the “human” robots you see in movies. Instead, they can be mechanical arms, advanced conveyor systems, or robotic vehicles.

The work performed by robots is often something that would take a long time or require a lot of resources if a human had to do it. Robots are used in factories, healthcare, and industry, where tasks often need to be repeated many times.

Robots in space

Robots have also been used in space exploration for a long time. They can be particularly useful in places where it is dangerous or difficult for humans to go. The advantage of using robots is that they do not have the same basic needs as humans: They do not need to eat, drink, or sleep. In addition, they are less vulnerable to the harsh environment of space, where there are extreme temperatures, dangerous radiation, different levels of gravity, and a lack of atmosphere, which humans normally need in order to breathe. They are therefore ideal for use in space exploration.

For example, rovers have been operating on Mars since 1997. A rover is a vehicle designed to investigate the surface of planets or moons. They use advanced cameras and other tools to collect samples from the surface and have played an invaluable role in contributing to the knowledge we have today. Among other things, rovers have helped scientists discover that liquid water once existed across large parts of Mars.

The rovers’ cameras allow them to see craters and other obstacles. They are programmed to avoid them and can safely navigate the surface by adjusting their movements without assistance from humans.

Other robots that perform important tasks can be found on the International Space Station. Here, they assist astronauts during space missions. One example is Canadarm, a 17-meter-long robotic arm. It is installed on the outside of the space station and can both receive deliveries from Earth and carry out repairs or maintenance. Repairs are necessary if something damages the space station, such as a small meteorite or other objects that collide with the station.

At the end of Canadarm is another robot called Dextre. It is 4 meters long and can perform very precise movements, such as pressing buttons, installing cables, and gripping small objects.

Instead of astronauts having to venture into the extreme environment outside the space station and perform a spacewalk themselves, Canadarm and Dextre can assist them. Both robots can be controlled from inside the space station by the astronauts or from NASA and CSA control centers on Earth.

Humanoid robots at the Planetarium

At Planetarium, we have a family of humanoid robots that are used as a tool to communicate and demonstrate the function and importance of robots in the exploration of space.

The robots visitors can see in the Planetarium exhibition were developed by the Chinese company Unitree Robotics and launched in 2025. The robots are the H2 model and represent some of Unitree’s newest humanoid robot technology. The robot is designed to imitate the function and appearance of a human as closely as possible and is approximately the size of a fully grown adult. It is 182 cm tall, weighs around 70 kg, and is primarily made of aluminum.

Several space agencies and companies are planning to build bases on the Moon or Mars where astronauts can live and work. Humanoid robots could become crucial in the construction of these bases. On Mars, where the atmosphere is thinner and gravity is lower, establishing a space base is challenging for humans. However, the size and mobility of humanoid robots make them similar to construction workers on Earth, allowing them to perform many of the same types of tasks as humans while also being able to survive in the harsh space environment.

Before robots can be used as construction workers, however, they need to have more stable and precise movements than they currently have. In addition, it is not yet possible for this type of robot to move around and make decisions independently of humans. The great distance between Mars and Earth means that it takes approximately 20 minutes for a signal to travel between the planets. This makes it difficult to remotely control robots from Earth. Therefore, it would be best if the robots could decide for themselves where and how they should move.

This also means that it will be some time before they can be used in places other than Earth.

Why should the robots look like humans?

Although robots have been part of our society for many years, it is relatively new for robots to look like humans. This is because it is difficult to replicate the complexity of the human body. One of the major challenges for a humanoid robot is maintaining balance.

The human body’s ability to balance and walk on two legs is unique. It is an ability that has developed through evolution over many years and involves the interaction of our senses, brain, and the balance organ in the inner ear. It takes time to learn and requires us to distribute our entire body weight between only two legs—just think of babies trying to walk for the first time!

We do not normally think about it in everyday life, but even for an adult, maintaining balance can be difficult. Especially when our sensory input changes: try closing your eyes and taking a few steps yourself.

There are several reasons why we want robots that look like humans. One reason is that we have built our entire society to accommodate the human body. Everything from shelves and stairs to doors is designed around our size and movements. If a robot is going to take over some of the tasks normally performed by humans, it makes sense for the robot to resemble us so that it can fit into our world.

Another reason is that humans tend to form connections with things that look like us. Although humanoid robots may seem creepy at first glance, people can quickly become emotionally attached to them and feel empathy toward them. This characteristic may become very important as humans seek to travel farther into space. A humanoid robot could provide mental support and make the journey easier and safer, while also taking care of tasks that are dangerous for the human body.