Russian space robot docks with ISS to begin mission
Humanoid was the only ‘passenger’ aboard the Soyuz spacecraft
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Russia has successfully docked a Soyuz spacecraft carrying a humanoid robot to the International Space Station (ISS) following a failed attempt on Saturday.
A robot named Fedor (Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research) was the only “passenger” onboard the Soyuz MS-14 and is on a mission to support the crew and test its skills.
A previous docking had failed due to a faulty component within one of the ISS’s automatic docking ports.
To resolve the issue, astronauts aboard the ISS got into another Soyuz spacecraft that was attached to a separate port and flew it around the space station in order to free up a fully functioning port for the robot’s capsule to dock.
“Watching in admiration of the agility and cooperation of international space programs to work through the dynamics of human space flight,” tweeted Nasa’s Christina Koch, who is on board the ISS.
The spacecraft carrying Fedor blasted off at 06.38 Moscow time (03.38 GMT) from Russia’s Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thursday.
Fedor, also known as Skybot F850, is 180 centimetres high (about six feet tall), weighs 160 kg and will stay on the station until 7 September.
During its time aboard the ISS, the robot will practise using tools in zero gravity. It can perform complex movements by mimicking humans.
“The robot’s main purpose is to be used in operations that are especially dangerous for humans on board spacecraft and in outer space,” said Russian space agency Roscosmos.
It is not the first robot to be sent into space, but it is arguably the most advanced.
In 2011, Nasa sent a humanoid robot called Robonaut 2 to carry out tasks that were too dangerous for human astronauts.
Japan also sent a miniature humanoid robot in 2013 called Kirobo, which spent 18 months aboard the space station before returning to Earth.
The Fedor robot is multi-skilled and versatile, and Roscosmos hopes that it could eventually be used to replace humans on space walks.
A video shared by Russia’s deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin before the launch showed the robot carrying out a variety of tasks.
In one clip it is seen driving a car, before lifting weights and doing press-ups.
It is also capable of handling and firing weapons, with one part of the video showing Fedor shooting two handguns with deadly accuracy.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments