Warning, warning, Will Robinson!
Ah, the phrase heard around the galaxy from the classic 1960s television series, Lost in Space. It was the voice of the boy's mechanical pal trying to keep the young Robinson aware of some sort of approaching threat.
And now, NASA is about to launch its long-awaited robotic companion to astronauts in space: Robonaut 2.
In a unique partnership, NASA and General Motors have come together to develop a new generation of robots for both the automotive and aerospace industries.
After 15 years of development, including Robonaut 1 versions, Robonaut 2 will venture into space on the space shuttle Discovery, scheduled to launch on its final mission, STS-133, Feb. 24. R2, as it's affectionately called, will be brought over to the ISS to begin its initial in-space tasks.
Initially, R2 will be positioned on a pedestal because its legs aren't quite ready to be attached and functional. Ambrose and his team are working on a pair of legs that will allow the robot to climb around in a zero-gravity environment.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM1NpvhgeK8&feature=player_embedded[/media]
Full story link with pictures: http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/07/robonaut-to-join-astronauts-for-space-mission/
Ah, the phrase heard around the galaxy from the classic 1960s television series, Lost in Space. It was the voice of the boy's mechanical pal trying to keep the young Robinson aware of some sort of approaching threat.
And now, NASA is about to launch its long-awaited robotic companion to astronauts in space: Robonaut 2.
In a unique partnership, NASA and General Motors have come together to develop a new generation of robots for both the automotive and aerospace industries.
After 15 years of development, including Robonaut 1 versions, Robonaut 2 will venture into space on the space shuttle Discovery, scheduled to launch on its final mission, STS-133, Feb. 24. R2, as it's affectionately called, will be brought over to the ISS to begin its initial in-space tasks.
Initially, R2 will be positioned on a pedestal because its legs aren't quite ready to be attached and functional. Ambrose and his team are working on a pair of legs that will allow the robot to climb around in a zero-gravity environment.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM1NpvhgeK8&feature=player_embedded[/media]
Full story link with pictures: http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/07/robonaut-to-join-astronauts-for-space-mission/
