Robotic Explorers
Beyond Earth

인류 역사상 최초 외계 천체 동력 비행 달성(2021.04.19, 화성). 소형 드론 헬리콥터, 단 5회 실험 비행 계획이었지만 72회 비행 성공 후 2024년 로터 손상으로 임무 종료. Mars 2020 미션(Perseverance)의 정찰 보조.

화성 Gale 분화구를 13년 넘게 탐사 중인 NASA 핵추진(RTG) 로버. 드릴 시료 분석(SAM·CheMin), 자율주행. 화성 생명 거주가능성 연구의 상징. NASA 공개 API로 실제 촬영 이미지 제공.

International Space Station's 17.6-meter robotic arm — the most capable space robot in continuous operation. Canadarm2 moves modules, cargo, and visiting spacecraft, assists astronaut EVAs, and can 'walk' end-to-end along the station like an inchworm. Since 2001, it has captured 50+ visiting spacecraft including Dragon and Cygnus, handled 100,000+ hours of ISS assembly and maintenance, and remains the backbone of ISS external operations.

화성 Jezero 분화구를 탐사하는 NASA 자율 로버. 23개 카메라, 샘플 채취·보관, 자율주행(AutoNav). Ingenuity 헬리콥터 동반. 실제 촬영 이미지를 NASA 공개 API로 제공.

인류 최초 화성 로버. 1997년 Pathfinder 미션. 83화성일 운용, 100m 이동. 10㎏ 소형 로버로 화성 표면 암석(Barnacle Bill·Yogi) 화학 분석. 향후 Spirit·Opportunity·Curiosity·Perseverance 시대 개막.

NASA's Valkyrie R5 is the most advanced space-rated humanoid ever built — designed to operate inside spacecraft and on planetary surfaces in preparation for human astronauts. Standing 1.83m and weighing 136kg, Valkyrie features radiation-hardened electronics, modular swappable joints, and an entire ROS2 stack contributed by MIT, Northeastern, and Carnegie Mellon. Currently training for Artemis lunar surface operations in JPL's Mars Yard alongside PAL TALOS.

World's first humanoid robot in space. Developed jointly by NASA and GM, Robonaut 2 launched to the ISS in 2011 and became the first humanoid to operate aboard a spacecraft. It operated in Destiny module, assisting with simple tasks alongside astronauts. Returned to Earth in 2018 for repairs but became the foundation for decades of space robotics research — its dexterous hands (12 DOF) influenced every subsequent space manipulation robot.

NASA's first humanoid lunar worker — Apollo Lunar is a modified Apollo humanoid rated for 1/6G lunar gravity and temperature extremes from -173°C to +127°C. Contracted under NASA's Human Landing System program for Artemis Base Camp at the lunar south pole. Apollo Lunar will assemble habitat modules, lay power cables, and operate scientific instruments autonomously. SpaceX Starship integration allows 4 units per Starship payload. 12 units ordered for delivery by 2029 — the largest space robotics contract in history.

World's first AI crew assistant in space. CIMON-2 (Crew Interactive Mobile Companion) is a spherical free-floating AI robot developed by Airbus and IBM Watson for ESA. It can navigate autonomously inside the ISS, display procedural documentation for astronauts, recognize faces and voice commands, and monitor crew health cues. CIMON-2 upgraded emotional recognition, allowing it to identify crew stress. Operational 2021-2024.

Free-flying robot on the ISS. Assist astronauts autonomously.

On-orbit servicing robotic satellite. US Space Force contract for Space-Based Interceptor. MDA SHIELD IDIQ program. 500kg spacecraft with robotic arm demo launched Oct 2025.