China eyes human-robot teams for future moon bases

China’s lunar ambitions are no longer just confined to landing astronauts. The country is exploring human-robots collaboration working together at the future lunar bases.

Speaking about the security of 2035 lunar bases, Chinese researchers have proposed the deployment of robot dogs to guard the bases on the Moon. However, humanoid robots will also make their way to the lunar surfaces meant for finding the resources.

A new study published in the journal Chinese Space Science and Technology, proposes a base staffed by three astronauts would explore the surface alongside the robot dogs. In this expedition, they will collect rock samples and carry out chemical analysis.

"China is extending the frontier of human space flight from Earth orbit to the Moon," researchers wrote.

"The proposed human-robot collaboration mode can exploit the complementary strengths of humans and robots, providing a reference for the future construction and efficient operation of China's lunar research station," they added.

The collaboration will be suitable given the hostile conditions prevalent on the Moon, including intense radiation, extreme temperatures, low gravity. In the wake of such harsh conditions, human-only and robot-only missions would be inefficient.

When the robots encounter something never-seen-before, humans could better guide them to navigate such situations. It means, robots will perform physical execution of tasks and humans will make higher-level judgement and decisions.

According to the study, such an integrated methodology has the potential to sustain lunar base operations for extended durations and over broader territories than achievable by humans or robots independently.

China is planning to establish an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) near the Moon’s south pole in collaboration with Russia and other partners. It plans to land astronauts on the moon by 2030.