Robot Living

In 2016 NASA will launch a robotic craft towards an asteroid to explore and collect samples.  The mission is called OSIRIS-REx , or Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource Identification-Security-Regolith Explorer and will return to Earth in 2023.

This is a critical step in meeting the objectives outlined by President Obama to extend our reach beyond low-Earth orbit and explore into deep space,” said NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden. “It’s robotic missions like these that will pave the way for future human space missions to an asteroid and other deep space destinations.

It will take the spacecraft nearly 4 years to reach asteroid 1999 RQ36, which is approximately 1,900 feet in diameter. Then the spacecraft will map the entire asteroid before selecting a place to extend a robotic arm to collect samples. Hopefully this mission will help us understand the birth of the solar system better. The spacecraft will use LIDAR and OCAMS (Orbital Communications Adapter Monitoring System) among many other electronics and will be built by Lockheed Martin.

Link via (Boing Boing)

Tags: Lockheed Martin, NASA

After several delays since last November, Robonaut 2 is about to go into space. If all goes well, the Space Shuttle Discovery will launch today at 4:50 pm. Once launched, it will travel to the International Space Station.

Robonaut 2 will do the following while on board the International Space Station:

Robonaut 2 (R2), will be installed in the U.S. Destiny laboratory,  providing  scientists and engineers on the ground and crews on the station an opportunity to test how humans and human-like robots can work shoulder-to- shoulder in microgravity. Once this has been demonstrated inside the station, software upgrades and lower bodies can be added, potentially allowing R2 to move around inside the station and eventually work outside in the vacuum of space. This will help NASA understand robotic capabilities for future deep space missions.

Click through for a video of Robonaut 2. Good luck Robonaut 2!

Update 2/25 – the shuttle launch was a success!  We can’t wait to see what Robonaut does at the Space Station.

Link

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Tags: Humanoid, NASA, robonaut, robonaut2, space shuttle, space station

Japan may send a humanoid robot to the International Space Station.  If so, they want the robot to tweet messages.

The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency or JAXA, announced this week it is considering sending a humanoid robot to the International Space Station in 2013.  Inspired by Robonaut, the tweeting robot from NASA, JAXA stated they wanted the robot to have facial expressions to better communicate with the astronauts.

Japan has a lab on the International Space Station called Hope.

JAXA hopes to keep public interest high by allowing the robot to send messages and  photographs through the service Twitter from space.

Link

Tags: Humanoid, japan, Space, space station, tweet, twitter

Robonaut 2 is about to go into space.  The Space Shuttle Discovery launch that was originally scheduled for today has been delayed until Wednesday at 3:52.  Once launched, it will travel to the International Space Station.

Robonaut 2 will do the following while on board the International Space Station:

Robonaut 2 (R2), will be installed in the U.S. Destiny laboratory,    providing  scientists and engineers on the ground and crews on the station an opportunity to test how humans and human-like robots can work shoulder-to- shoulder in microgravity. Once this has been demonstrated inside the station, software upgrades and lower bodies can be added, potentially allowing R2 to move around inside the station and eventually work outside in the vacuum of space. This will help NASA understand robotic capabilities for future deep space missions.

Update 11/8: Mission has been scrubbed for various reasons until 11/30

Update 2/25/11: Mission sucessful – Robonaut 2 is in space

Link via (NASA)

Tags: NASA, Robonaut 2

If you haven’t been following Robonaut 2 on Twitter, we suggest you do.  He has been talking about his packing for the upcoming space trip.

Here is a short time lapse video of  Robonaut 2 being packed for space travel.  follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/AstroRobonaut.

Tags: Robonaut 2