Two advanced four-legged robots, Bert and Spot, recently undertook a series of exploratory tasks in a simulated Martian environment located in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. This unique exercise was facilitated by NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, who commanded the robots from the International Space Station (ISS) while orbiting Earth. The initiative aimed to assess the capabilities of robotic teams in environments that closely mimic the conditions on Mars.
In July 2023, Kim transmitted commands to the German Aerospace Center (DLR) facility, directing the robots through various challenges designed to test their problem-solving skills. The mission’s success was highlighted by Alin Albu-Schäffer, director of DLR’s Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, who stated, “We have now achieved all the technical requirements for controlling complex robotic missions on Mars — and for a future permanent lunar research station.”
The DLR Surface Avatar experiment has been in progress since 2022, with Kim’s recent excursion marking the fourth and final phase of this series. Previous astronauts, including Frank Rubio and Marcus Wandt, have also participated in controlling robots from the ISS, but Kim faced unique challenges during his command.
One notable task involved assisting Bert, who experienced a simulated leg injury. The experiment team intentionally jammed one of the robot’s legs, prompting Kim to guide Bert in finding a stable three-legged gait. This required Kim to conduct a “training” session, allowing the robot to evaluate various movements until it discovered a functional strategy.
Once Bert was ready, the robot ventured into simulated Martian caves adorned with drawings reminiscent of prehistoric art found in France’s Lascaux caves. Given the confined space, Kim switched to manual control, utilizing Bert’s camera to navigate the environment and manage the robot’s movements via a joystick.
Alongside Bert, Kim also operated three other robots: DLR’s Spot, the humanoid robot Rollin’ Justin, and the Interact rover from the European Space Agency. Notably, Bert was transported by Interact in a pioneering robot-to-robot transfer, showcasing the potential for collaborative robotic operations in space.
Spot, although new to the experiment, performed commendably under Kim’s direction, locating several “sample containers” and delivering them to a designated area using its gripper arm. Meanwhile, Rollin’ Justin assisted in transferring the samples to a Martian-like lander. This teamwork exemplified the progress made in remote robotic operations.
According to Thomas Krüger, team lead at the European Space Agency’s human-robot interaction lab, the experiments demonstrate how involving astronauts in microgravity and utilizing relay satellites can address technical challenges in controlling robots remotely. He noted the relevance of these advancements for NASA’s planned Gateway space station, which will support crewed and robotic missions on the lunar surface.
The mission concluded with an emotional moment as Kim and Neal Lii, a DLR scientist and principal investigator of Surface Avatar, shared a virtual handshake. Rollin’ Justin facilitated this interaction by providing tactile feedback, thus enhancing the sense of connection between the two scientists despite the vast distance separating them.
This innovative collaboration between astronauts and robotic systems underscores the growing importance of technology in future space exploration endeavors, paving the way for potential missions to Mars and beyond.