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China Develops Space Robot for Lunar Exploration
Instead of fairy Chang'e in Chinese legend, a space robot will be the first in China to land on the moon in the near future.
China is studying the key technologies of space robots, which will shoulder the lunar exploration mission before Chinese astronauts set foot on the moon, Sun Zengqi, a leading space robot researcher said Monday.
"Besides the lunar mission, space robots will play an important role in China's further space activities, including satellite servicing and scientific experiments in space station," said Sun, vice dean of the department of Computer Science and Technology of the prestigious Qinghua University in Beijing.
Lunar exploration is regarded as a symbol of a country's space technology development. Luan Enjie, director of the State Aerospace Bureau confirmed that China will explore the moon and will actively participate in the international exploration of Mars after the realization of manned spaceship aviation.
Astronauts are very expensive resources in space. Due to economy and safety, it is important that the space robots can replace astronauts in fulfilling tasks in space, said Sun.
China's first space robot research center has been set up in Beijing.
"Breakthroughs have been made in many key technologies of space robots," said Liang Bin, deputy director of the research center, "If it is required by China's space plan, the space robot will be sent to space very soon."
Sun Zengqi, the leading expert, said at the International Conference on Engineering and Technological Sciences, which finished in Beijing on Saturday, that the space robot used for lunar surface exploration will be small and dexterous, can easily move, climb slopes, evade obstacles and be easily accustomed to the inclement environment on the moon.
The space robot on the moon will investigate possible landing sites of astronauts and other areas of interest by scientists. It will lay scientific facilities, collect research samples and send lunar images back to earth, Sun said.
China will also focus on developing robots used in space capsules, said Sun. Although China is currently not capable of building large space stations, it is possible for China to build small-sized space labs. When the space labs are unmanned, robots will be used to handle lab experiments.
This type of space robot has various senses and deft hands and can detect and repair the malfunctions, Sun said.
Countries including the United States, Japan and Russia have developed space robots. The gap between China and the countries in space robot technology has been greatly narrowed, said Sun.
Currently, Sun is studying teleoperation of the space robots through virtual reality technology to solve the big time delay caused by long distances.
Liang Bin said compared with the robots on earth, space robots will be more intelligent and more automated, and can resist radiation in space.
"Before sending space robots into space, we will conduct plentiful ground tests by simulating space environment to ensure success in space," said Liang.
According to Liang, China's space research center has been cooperating with institutes in the United States and Hong Kong in space robot research.
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