The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) plans an unmanned mission to space. Residing within would be a half-humanoid robot Vyommitra. Recently in September, India had failed an attempt of reaching down the lunar surface. Popping out the dream bubble of becoming the fourth country to land the moon, the Vikram lander encountered a braking problem. The first three being Russia, U.S, and China.
Keeping the spirits high, the upcoming space mission planned to take place in December, shall be using the Gaganyaan spacecraft, and the half-humanoid robot Vyommitra. The next part of the unmanned mission would take place in July 2021. The success of this will lead to a manned journey in 2022.
All these efforts of sending a robot are particularly focused to do the groundwork of the final manned mission. Vyommitra is equipped with sensors that shall detect any unpleasant environment or unfavorable conditions throughout the journey. The robot’s experience shall be used to design the cabin for the anticipated 2022 mission.
The half-humanoid robot is flexible to act and pose like a human. So that maximum data can be extracted out of the test astronaut’s flight. Incorporated within the bot are panel control features and socializing traits, though, she’ll be able to use them in the near future.
The idea of sending a robot to space isn’t a brand new one. As the initiative was taken by NASA, in 2011. Robonaut, which was a humanoid robot without legs was sent in the Discovery space shuttle. Following the trend came Fedor, ‘Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research’. The less than 6-feet tall robot and weighing about 350 pounds, Fedor was used by the Russian Space Agency, Roscomos to be sent to the International Space Station.
Adding to the list is Kirobo, which was sent by the Japanese space agency, JAXA. The individuality it holds is its capability of speaking and facial recognition features. Oh, so it has all the tools to save him from the loneliness out there.
So, Vyommitra would soon be making friends, or maybe the research institutes are planning an alien-world out there. Once the robot lands back safely, it will be giving useful pieces of information that shall assist the Indian researchers to design a flawless mission in 2022. Fingers crossed to see whether or not India gets the fourth position on the list!
