It’s only been two weeks since India launched its first successful Moon landing, but it is preparing to leave a mark on the heavenly bodies again. In 2024, the Indian Space Research Organization is preparing to launch its astronauts into space. However, it may amaze the world sooner by releasing its first humanoid space robot, Vyommitra.
India has proven it can keep up with the United States, China, and Russia in the Space Race. However, it seems the country wants to overtake these juggernauts by sending the world’s first robot astronaut. If it succeeds, India will mark another monumental milestone for humanity. More importantly, the ISRO would likely expand our understanding of the universe.
This article will elaborate on India’s Vyommitra humanoid space robot. Then, I will discuss space projects from China and the United States to show how far our space research has come.
How does the Vyommitra work?
Jagran Josh, India’s pioneer publication house, explains that Vyommitra is a half-humanoid robot with a robotic head and torso. It has a pair of arms and legs, but the latter doesn’t function.
However, the India Space Research Organization designed the robot to float in microgravity and to interact with the Gaganyaan spacecraft and its crew. Interesting Engineering says the bot will switch panel operations and monitor module parameters. Also, it looks like a human female.
Its name, “Vyommitra,” is a portmanteau of the Indian words “Vyoma,” which means “space,” and “Mitra,” which means “friend.” On January 22, 2020, the robot debuted at the Human Spaceflight and Exploration Symposium in Bengaluru.
Three years later, the Union Minister of State for Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, posted on his X account that Vyommitra will join the ISRO’s Gaganyaan Mission. As mentioned, it involves sending Indian astronauts to space in 2024.
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Vyommitra’s role is to collect data and test equipment so that the human astronauts can complete their mission safely. Also, the news outlet specified these benefits of launching the humanoid robot:
- Vyommitra can test the systems and procedures that the manned mission will use in a safe and controlled environment.
- Also, the robot will gather data on the effects of space travel on humans. As a result, it could improve the safety of future manned space missions.
- More importantly, Vyommitra will help raise awareness of India’s space program and inspire younger generations to pursue careers in science and technology.
Jagran Josh says the bot will fly into space onboard the Indian Spacecraft Orbital Vehicle (ISRO). It will stay in orbit for a week and test life support, communications, and navigation systems. Afterward, the Gaganyaan mission will commence once the robot finishes its duties.
What are the other countries’ space projects?
Photo Credit: euronews.com
Three other countries have landed in space: Russia, China, and the United States. Each has varying degrees of success in their recent space missions.
Russia launched its Luna-25 spacecraft before India’s Chandrayaan-3, but it fumbled and crashed on the Moon. Meanwhile, the US has been preparing several projects.
For example, did you know the National Aeronautics and Space Administration also has a humanoid space robot? NASA named it Valkyrie and deployed it on its first mission on July 6, 2023.
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That mission involves overseeing oil rigs at the Woodside Energy facility in Western Australia. It will check infrastructure to ensure workplace safety. In turn, the energy firm will collect information that can help improve the Valkyrie bot.
China has the most ambitious plan for space exploration. Believe it or not, its space agency and Academy of Sciences proposed a four-stage roadmap to extract space resources!
They call it the “Tiangong Kaiwu” or “The Exploitation of the Works of Nature.” It plans to mine ice and water on the Moon and other planets and develop transportation to create the world’s first space economy.
Conclusion
India may make history again by launching the world’s first humanoid space robot. The ISRO confirms it has undergone rigorous testing to prepare for its maiden voyage.
This year has been exciting for space exploration. Numerous countries have tried reaching the stars and achieving more in outer space. I’ve shared a few of these developments above.
However, Inquirer Tech has more space mission reports from NASA and other agencies. Also, it delivers the latest trends in other tech sectors like artificial intelligence and more.