The scanning device is small and spherical in shape, but can be deployed to move more conveniently on the surface of the satellite.
Big projects sometimes start with small steps.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has announced the shipment of a robotic unit to the moon in 2022.
The device has two remarkable features. First, it is quite small, about the size of a baseball. It barely weighs about 250 grams.
Second, it is a transformable unit. The sphere can unfold its pieces to become a small ball.
The change is simple, practical and somewhat far from what one would expect from a transformable robot. But it is enough to get into that category.
Mission
The robot will be used to explore the satellite and collect data on lunar dust. To this end it will contain a good mix of scientific equipment.
The data collected in this mission will allow to refine the design of the manned explorer that the Japanese agency wants to send in 2029.
Among the companies that are collaborating to create the robot is Sony, but also the toy maker Tomy which will be essential for the miniaturization of the components.
In the case of the manned vehicle, Jaxa has the collaboration of Toyota.
A great bet
The shipment of the device has been in charge of the company ispace. The Japanese robot will be accompanied by an explorer from the United Arab Emirates known as Rashid.
The mission is of great importance to everyone involved. For countries because it allows them to join a select club of nations that have reached the moon, and for ispace because it will be your first flight.
The lunar landing module devised by ispace.
Indeed, the entire project has a large number of organizations and companies making their first attempts to achieve a fairly important goal. It then remains to be seen whether the time left will be long enough for all the pieces to fit into place.
