Robots  in Space

  • By EM Team
  • •
  • 07 May, 2021
  • •

Scientists and engineers are designing Robots that are being sent in Space to explore it, as this is much safer and easier than sending astronauts. We don’t have to worry too much about the safety of these robots – though of course it is very important to build them carefully in order to last and provide us with accurate and timely information. But even if a robotic mission fails, at least the humas involved with the mission stay safe.

 

Sending a robot to space will cost less than sending a human. They will be able to be out there for long period of time and in most of the cases there is no return trip. However, that creates the problem of Space Debris which we have presented in this newsletter.

As you remember, robots can do lots of things that human can’t. They can withstand harsh conditions, like extreme temperatures and high level of radiation. They will also be more precise in their actions than astronauts, and will be able to do things that for humans will be risky or even impossible.

 

Robots developed by NASA

 

We are sure you do remember Milo, the Science Rover. It is actually looking so similar to Mars Rovers- Perseverance and Curiosity. NASA’s scientists are working all the time on developing new robots and they have been exploring Mars with the help of Robots since1997, when Sojourner landed on the Red Planet.

Some of you are the next engineers and scientists to build a new generation of space rovers.
NASA has been investigating Mars with rovers since the Pathfinder mission landed in 1997 and deployed a small rover called Sojourner. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Inspired by origami, one of the latest NASA Robots is A-Puffer, short for Autonomous Pup-Up Flat Folding Explorer Robot. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/robotics-at-jpl/a-puffer

This is a lightweight, two-wheeled adventurer that can flatten itself out and duck down to investigate tight spots. What do you think could be the use of such a robot in exploring the Moon or Mars? Email us your answers at info@engineeringminds.org.uk

Do you remember when you wondered whether you could take some pictures under the water with your parents’ new phone? Probably you were told not to try it. Well, the scientists have developed BRUIE, the Buoyant Rover for Under-Ice Exploration that can float in the water and roll its wheels along the underside of an icy surface, all while taking pictures and collecting data. Very exciting! One day, BRUIE might find some signs of life on icy bodies somewhere in the solar system. For example, the underground oceans of Jupiter’s moon Europa or Saturn’s moon Enceladus.


The BRUIE robot rolls its wheels on the underside of an icy surface. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Why don’t you try to design some space rovers that could be used to explore one of the planets of our Solar System? You might need to research that planet and use your imagination to plan a robot to find out its mysteries. Email us your ideas at info@engineeringminds.org.uk

And why not, if you have time, try this classroom activity designed by NASA

Classroom Activity: Design a Robotic Insect

Moon Landing

By EM Team • August 4, 2021
https://www.engineeringminds.org.uk/moon-landing

Women in Space

By EM Team • August 4, 2021
As of March 2021, 65 women have flown in space, including cosmonauts, astronauts, payload specialists, and space station participants. The first woman in space was Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, who flew on Vostok 6 on June 16, 1963. The first American woman in space, Sally Ride, flew aboard the Space Shuttle STS-7 in June of 1983.

Oceans!

By EM Team • August 4, 2021
On Earth, there is one global ocean which is split now into 5 different oceans. These are the Artic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and Southern oceans, with the latter being newly named.

The Environment

By EM Team • August 4, 2021
“Give the World the best you’ve got, you may get kicked in the teeth but give the best anyway.”

Women in Engineering

By EM Team • August 4, 2021
Some of the greatest inventions and engineering marvels have been from women within engineering and science. The internet connection that you are using right now to read this had the foundations laid by Hedy Lamarr.

How Do Rockets Work?

By EM Team • May 7, 2021
Rockets! Everyone knows what they are but how do they actually work? Can rockets look different to others? Did you know you can make your own rocket at home?

Trash in Space

By EM Team • May 7, 2021
Did you know that our Earth is surrounded by man-made trash? Is called Space Debris and consists of parts of dead satellites, bolts, nuts.

Plants in Space

By EM Team • May 7, 2021
Plants in space? Sounds a bit silly doesn’t it, especially as everyone know that’s not where they grow! Plants as we know grow in soil on the earth, but some scientists are trying to find ways to get them to grow on the Moon.

Inspiring young engineering minds

By Irina Jarrett-Thorpe • December 27, 2018
Inspirational Engineers and Scientists support Engineering Minds' vision of encouraging children to embrace technology and break the circle of under-representation for ethnic minorities and girls in STEAM fields. We are so excited to have Dr. Mazdak Ghajari from Imperial College visiting Eltham Library on Monday 3rd December to meet 30 children from one of the local schools. Dr. Ghajari will explain how engineering and computational modelling could be used to design innovative helmets to protect children's brain against accidents.

Christmas Lego Robotics and Web Design

By Irina Jarrett-Thorpe • December 3, 2018
Join us for a FREE exciting afternoon of LEGO Robotics and Web Design at The Greenwich Centre on 28th November, from 4pm to 6pm. Children will build and code LEGO robots, and will start learning web and graphic design. Whether you're a parent, a teacher or a child yourself, you will enjoy listening to our very special guest, Matt Soper from   The Creation Lab   who will explain some secrets of web design.
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