Chinese scientists develop ‘space mining robot'

Chinese scientists have developed a six-legged "space mining robot" inspired by insects, which may be used for prospecting and mining on the moon or asteroids in the future, Xinhua News reported Monday.

A robot's surface-penetrating operations on the moon, where gravity is only one-sixth of Earth's, or on low-gravity asteroids, pose significant challenges.

The six-legged robot is designed to overcome these challenges and withstand the extreme temperature fluctuations and radiation of space effectively.

Researchers from China University of Mining and Technology drew inspiration from insect movement to create an innovative bionic robot for asteroid exploration.

"The robot features an arrayed claw-spine structure that enhances its attachment and grip in microgravity," said Liu Xinhua, the leader of the research team.

The robot is designed with three wheels and three claws. The wheels are suited for navigating smooth asteroid terrain, while the claw legs are equipped to handle rocky areas.

The research team has also built a specialized testing site that simulates the sandy soil of near-Earth asteroids and used a suspension system to recreate microgravity conditions.

It has already filed a patent for the prototype of this space mining robot.