![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/coverimages56075574-0486.jpg\")
\n\t\tNasa\u2019s Valkyrie humanoid robot in all its glory (Picture: NASA\/Cover Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tNasa\u2019s Valkyrie humanoid robot in all its glory (Picture: NASA\/Cover Images)<\/p>\n
Nasa<\/a> astronauts could one day find themselves working alongside robot colleagues.<\/p>\n The space agency is developing humanoid robots<\/a> that could assist on missions to the Moon and Mars, carrying out dangerous jobs too risky for humans.<\/p>\n Advanced robots could repair equipment, move supplies, inspect spacecraft, and maintain extraterrestrial bases while keeping humans out of harm\u2019s way.<\/p>\n A 16-member Dexterous Robotics Team at Nasa\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston<\/a>, Texas, is developing hardware and software that could allow robots to operate reliably in some of the most hostile environments imaginable.<\/p>\n And Nasa insists the machines are intended to work<\/a> alongside astronauts rather than replace them.<\/p>\n \t\t Shaun Azimi, lead of the Dexterous Robotics Team, said: \u2018Our team is not trying to replace human explorers with robots<\/a> but instead make human exploration safer and more sustainable<\/a>.\u2019<\/p>\n He added: \u2018If we can send more capable robots, we can reduce the risk and make people more effective in doing the things that people do best.\u2019<\/p>\n Astronauts travelling into deep space face radiation, extreme temperatures, vacuum conditions and abrasive lunar or Martian dust.<\/p>\n Robots do not face many of the same limitations and could remain at remote outposts for long periods, carrying out maintenance or preparing facilities before astronauts arrive.<\/p>\n \t\t Nasa\u2019s work builds on years of experience with humanoid machines including Robonaut 2, which underwent demonstrations aboard the International Space Station.<\/p>\n Another is Valkyrie \u2013 also known as R5 \u2013 a 6ft 2in humanoid originally built for the 2013 DARPA Robotics Challenge.<\/p>\n The 300lb (136kg) electric robot has 44 degrees of freedom and can operate from mains power or a battery.<\/p>\n Its human-like shape means it could potentially use the same handles, doors, tools, and working spaces designed for astronauts.<\/p>\n \t\t Nasa is testing robotic technology at its Integrated Mobile Evaluation Testbed for Robotics Operations \u2013 known as iMETRO \u2013 at Johnson Space Center.<\/p>\n One of the biggest challenges is ensuring robots can work without humans continuously controlling their every movement.<\/p>\n Communication delays become increasingly significant farther from Earth, with signals between Earth and Mars potentially taking many minutes each way.<\/p>\n Nasa therefore wants robots capable of receiving higher-level instructions before independently carrying out the movements needed to complete a task.<\/p>\n \t\t Tests have already seen robotic arms operate spacecraft-style hatches, move cargo and inspect equipment similar to that used aboard space stations.<\/p>\n The agency is examining how such technology could support a future moon base \u2013 and eventually astronauts travelling to Mars.<\/p>\n The long-term vision is a future in which astronauts exploring another world could have robotic colleagues working beside them \u2013 or waiting there before they arrive.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/coverimages56075571-803b.jpg\")
\n\t\tValkyrie hands Dexterous Robotics Team member Emma Zemler a packed duffel bag (Picture: NASA\/Cover Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/coverimages56075573-0252.jpg\")
\n\t\tNASA\u2019s Robonaut 2 (Picture: NASA\/Cover Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/coverimages56075570-5f61.jpg\")
\n\t\tDexterous Robotics Team lead Shaun Azimi conducts a demonstration with NASA\u2019s Valkyrie humanoid robot (Picture: NASA\/Cover Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/coverimages56075572-7012.jpg\")
\n\t\tComponents of the Dexterous Robotics Team\u2019s iMETRO facility (Picture: NASA\/Cover Images)<\/p>\n
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