China Unveils Space Mining Robot for Asteroids and the Moon

China has introduced its first multifunctional space mining robot, designed to operate in microgravity environments. Developed by researchers at the China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT), the robot could pave the way for future extraterrestrial mining on the moon, Mars, and near-Earth asteroids.

Credit: CMG

The research team, led by Professor Liu Xinhua, designed the robot with a six-legged structure, featuring three wheel legs and three claw legs. This design allows it to function efficiently in low-gravity conditions, unlike traditional humanoid robots or robotic dogs.

"In space, objects do not stay in place like they do on Earth due to the lack of gravity. If you push something, it will float away, just like astronauts inside a space station," Liu said.

One of the biggest challenges in space mining is drilling into surfaces under low gravity. On Earth, a robot's weight provides the necessary force to push a drill into the ground. However, with the moon’s gravity being only one-sixth of Earth's and asteroids having even weaker gravitational fields, stabilising a drill becomes difficult.

To address this, the research team designed a special claw structure inspired by insect claws. This array-type system enhances adhesion and gripping ability in microgravity environments, allowing the robot to stay anchored while collecting samples and move efficiently across different terrains.

Beyond stability, the robot features a biomimetic six-legged movement system. Each leg has wheel and anchor configurations, enabling it to traverse rough and cratered asteroid surfaces.

The prototype has already undergone preliminary testing and has been submitted for a patent.

"We successfully conducted microgravity simulation experiments. The robot was able to walk, anchor itself, and even collect samples in a simulated lunar soil environment, validating our initial design," Liu said.

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• China has unveiled its first multifunctional space mining robot.

• The robot, developed by CUMT, features a six-legged design for microgravity environments.

• A special claw system enhances stability and grip for drilling in low-gravity conditions.

Source: CGTN