China develops snake robot capable of crushing satellites in space

With a solid body design consisting of small detachable segments and acting as an independent robot, this machine can weave through the tightest corners of space.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the Chinese team behind the project said that it has developed a robotic machine with a snake body shape that has unprecedented strength, flexibility and longevity. to explore space. The invention was introduced amid concerns about China's ability to damage other countries' satellites.

Simulating the image of a robot arm stretching out in space.

The new robot is 1.5 meters long, attaches to the spacecraft and consists of nine segments, each capable of generating 190 Newton meters of torque – double the capacity of a 1,200 cc motorcycle. Joints between segments can twist and rotate widely, allowing the robot to traverse complex environments to reach the narrowest crevices of space stations or satellites that today's astronauts or robotic arms cannot reach. near.

Theoretically, when the robot experiences any malfunction or broken segments, they can easily be replaced with a new joint, allowing the robot's operational life to be indefinite.

"Repairing satellites and spacecraft in a complex space environment consumes a lot of manpower and materials." The team led by Professor Xu Zhenbang of the space optical systems laboratory at the Institute of Optical Mechanics and Physics Changchun (China), wrote in an article published in the journal robotics technology last month.

Professor Xu and colleagues say the robots can work together and act as tentacles to move or control a large object.

Last month, China's Shijian 21 satellite lifted a defunct Beidou satellite into a graveyard orbit for dead satellites. While details are still being kept under wraps, the successful mission has shown that China is in possession of advanced robotic technology that helps track and control uncooperative targets in space.

Many countries have expressed concerns that China could use similar technology to disable other countries' satellites. The US military is concerned about China's anti-satellite capabilities, particularly the Shijian 17, an experimental probe fitted with a robotic arm that has conducted anomalous operations after it launched into orbit in 2016.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government insists its country's space robot technology is developed for peaceful purposes only, such as building large-scale infrastructure, serving spacecraft or satellites on board. orbit and remove space junk.

In a white paper published this month, China's National Space Administration said it plans to turn space junk cleaning into a for-profit business within five years.

In the past, snake robots have been used to inspect undersea optical cables and perform other tasks, but due to technical challenges, there have not been any reports of their use in space.

In the machine developed by Changchun Institute, each segment is an independent robot and has its own motor, actuator, processor, and sensors.

According to the researchers, each segment needs to link with each other, coordinate every movement to complete the task, and require assistance from advanced artificial intelligence technology. Professor Xu said the team will further improve the robot before sending it into space. Specifically, some components made of metal alloys will be upgraded to carbon fiber to reduce weight.

Professor Xu's team says they have tested the robot in simulated ground missions, including exploring unknown territory. There, the robot identifies gaps, enters tight spaces, and dynamically adjusts segments to avoid contact with obstacles while moving forward.

A scientist working in Beijing says the robot is strong enough to crush a satellite as small as 'a python clutching its bait'. But the unnamed scientist said that the public disclosure of this robotic machine shows that China has no plans to use it as a weapon.