Spider-legged backpack pulls astronaut to his feet on the Moon

When astronauts fall, the SuperLimbs system of backpacks and robotic legs will help them quickly get up despite their bulky spacesuits.

NASA shares videos recording astronauts' falls on the Moon. (Video: NASA).

Engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) collaborated with NASA to develop the SuperLimbs system with spider-like robot limbs extending from backpacks , lifting fallen astronauts off the ground , Newsweek on May 16 reported. This could be crucial for missions to the Moon , where gravity is only 1/6 of that on Earth and astronauts have difficulty standing up after falling due to bulky spacesuits.

"Astronauts have very good physical strength, but they will have difficulty on the Moon, where gravity is only 1/6 of Earth's but their inertia remains the same. Furthermore, wearing a spacesuit is a heavy burden and restricts movement. We want to provide a safe solution for astronauts to get back on their feet if they fall," said Harry Asada, professor of mechanical engineering at MIT.

The motors, robotic limbs and controllers of the SuperLimbs system are in a backpack. The backpack also contains the life support system and the astronaut will wear it on their back. Researchers built a prototype and tested it with people wearing clothes similar to spacesuits. They found that when supported by robotic limbs, the wearer could stand up from a sitting or lying position more easily.

"It feels like there's an additional force moving with you. Imagine you're wearing a backpack and someone grabs the top and pulls you up ," said MIT researcher Erik Ballesteros.

The SuperLimbs system helps astronauts easily get up after falling on the Moon. (Photo: MIT).

Scientists hope SuperLimbs will help astronauts save energy during outdoor activities on the Moon . This is especially important for Artemis - the program aims to return humans to the Moon in half a century. Artemis astronauts aim to build the first permanent base on the Moon. This will require good physical strength, so staying strong is extremely important.

"During Apollo, 80% of falls occurred while astronauts were digging or performing some type of work with tools. Artemis missions will focus on construction and excavation, so the risk of falls remains much higher. We think SuperLimbs can help them stand up, thereby working more effectively and expanding their outdoor activities ," Ballesteros said.

The MIT team of experts has been researching SuperLimbs for more than a decade. Currently, they are working with NASA to adapt the system for use on the Moon. They hope to further improve the design at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and test it in low gravity environments with real spacesuits.