Chinese space station tests robot inspector inspired by starfish

The current shift of taikonauts on the Chinese orbital station “Tiangong” tested a robot for pipeline inspection in zero gravity. The station has many pipes of different diameters, purposes and configurations, with transitions from one diameter to another. Some of them are located in hard-to-reach places, and this is not a reason to cancel inspection, maintenance and repair. A special robot was created for these purposes, which was tested in zero gravity.

Image source: CCTV

The test, designed to test the robot’s effectiveness in servicing pipelines and its safe operation, was carried out by the crew last month, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The test was carried out on a model to eliminate the risk of the robot getting stuck somewhere in the depths of the station. It is reported that it had no problems moving through the labyrinth: “During the tests, the robot smoothly and reliably passed through straight, curved and conical pipes of various diameters.”

To increase the robot inspector’s maneuverability, it was designed according to “nature’s blueprints” — copying the principle of the starfish’s rays’ hydraulic system. Starfish move their rays by redistributing fluid in their tissues. The robot moved using hydraulics in its limbs, doing so quite deftly.