Russia for the first time launched a robot carrying a human figure on ISS

The Fedor robot was launched on Soyuz MS-14 at 6:38 (local time), or 10:38 am (Hanoi time), from Russia's Baikonur space airport in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz is expected to dock at the ISS on August 24 and will stay here until September 7.

On August 22, Russia launched an unmanned missile carrying a robot of the same shape and size as humans to space.

This robot will have 10 days to learn how to support astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS).

Named Fedor and has Skybot F850 identification, this is the first robot that Russia launched into space.

Picture 1 of Russia for the first time launched a robot carrying a human figure on ISS
Russian robot Skybot F-850 (Fedor) is tested at Baikonur space airport, Kazakhstan.(Photo: AFP / VNA).

Usually in space flights, Soyuz spacecraft are often manned. However, in this flight, Soyuz was automatically controlled to test the new emergency rescue system. Accordingly, Fedor will replace astronauts in the driver's seat.

Fedor is coated in silver, 1m80 tall and weighs 160kg. Fedor's personal Twitter and Instagram accounts update the images of these robots learning new skills, such as opening the bottle cap. These skills will be tested by Fedor in low gravity environments on ISS.

According to the director of future science programs of the Russian Space Agency, Alexander Bloshenko, skills also include opening and disconnecting electricity, using objects such as wrenches and fire extinguishers.

In addition, Fedor has the ability to copy human activities, an important skill that allows this robot to support astronauts remotely. In the future, these "help" robots will perform dangerous tasks like walking in space.

Picture 2 of Russia for the first time launched a robot carrying a human figure on ISS
Russian robot Skybot F-850 (Fedor) is tested at Baikonur space airport, Kazakhstan.(Photo: AFP / VNA).

On the website of one of the project sponsors, the Fund for Advanced Research Projects said, on Earth, Fedor could work in high radioactive environments, carrying out mining operations. as well as difficult rescue missions.

On ISS, Fedor will oversee the missions of Russian astronaut Alexander Skvortsov, who visited ISS last month.

Fedor is not the first robot to be launched into space. In 2011, the US Agency for Aeronautics (NASA) introduced robots called Robonaut 2, developed by General Motors, into the universe with the same purpose of working in high-risk environments.

This robot returned to Earth in 2018 after encountering a technical problem. In 2013, Japan also launched a small robot called Kirobodo, developed by Toyota automobile manufacturer. Japanese robots have the ability to chat, but only in Japanese.

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