Gecko-Inspired Robot Could Snag Space Junk
Robotic pincers inspired by geckos could help collect garbage in space, a new study finds.
In experiments, the device was able to glom on to objects in the lab and even floating items within the International Space Station.
Someday, such grippers could be used in maintenance robots in space or factory robots on Earth, according to the researchers, who reported the results of their study in the June 28 issue of the journal Science Robotics.
More than 500,000 pieces of debris currently orbit Earth, according to NASA. This space junk can travel at speeds of up to about 17,500 mph (28,100 km/h), posing a major hazard to astronauts, satellites and spacecraft.
Despite the hazards that space junk poses, space debris is not collected today, in part because technologies used to grab on to items on Earth often do not perform well in space, the researchers said in their study.
For instance: * Conventional robotic hands are not suited for large, smooth pieces of space debris. * Magnets do not stick to glass or aluminum. * Suction cups require an atmosphere to work. *
Traditional sticky materials, such as tape, are largely useless because the chemicals they rely on cannot withstand the extreme temperature swings they would experience in space. *
Harpoons and nets could push objects in unintended directions. Now, scientists have developed robotic pincers inspired by geckos to help grab space trash.
"glom on"!
Now where have I heard that before?
