A robot assembles a structure in orbit for the first time without human intervention, demonstrating autonomous construction in space through the DARPA and Caltech project.
The robotic arm manipulated modular parts to erect a 3-meter structure in low-Earth orbit, validating technologies for future space stations and lunar habitats without the need for astronauts on spacewalks.
The test is part of DARPA's NOM4D program, which seeks to develop manufacturing in space to reduce launch costs and allow for structures too large for conventional rockets.
Caltech engineers controlled the robot from the ground, but all gripping, alignment, and assembly operations were autonomous, marking a milestone in space robotics.
Sources: Caltech, DARPA, New Scientist, TechSpot, ASSEMBLY Magazine.
Originally published in Digitalia.
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