Asteroid Mining Corp Introduces SCAR-E Asteroid Exploration Robot

SCAR-E Exploration Robot to trace asteroids (photo: Doc. tohoku)

JAKARTA - Asteroid Mining Corporation (AMC) is currently developing Space Capable Asteroid Robotic Explorers (SCAR-E). This robot is the result of collaboration with the Space Robotics Lab (SRL) of Tohoku University, Japan.

SCAR-E is a six-legged robot weighing 20 kilograms. This robot is able to climb walls with six-finger grippers attached to its feet. In addition to climbing, SCAR-E can also inspect ship hulls and perform a number of other tasks.

This robot was deliberately created to carry out exploration in the solar system. SCARE-E is considered very functional because it can be enlarged up to 20 times its initial size, thereby facilitating exploration.

At a low cost and yet robust, SCAR-E was created commercially for the benefit of Earth and the Solar System. For the benefit of Earth, SCAR-E will carry out important infrastructure inspections, nuclear shutdowns, remote sensing, and provide assistance during disasters.

In contrast to the needs of the Solar System, SCAR-E was created with future needs in mind, such as lunar crater exploration and asteroid search. SCAR-E  has been protected with regolith on its mechanical and electronic components.

SCAR-E could be a new breakthrough in replacing wheeled rovers on the moon. Even though several wheeled rover missions were successful, such as the Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) Chandrayaan-3, this rover still had problems in several locations.

Usually, wheeled cruisers have problems when entering steep slopes. Even AMC CEO Mitch Hunter-Scullion said, “If you want to go to Shackleton's crater on the moon, you won't get there on wheels.”

Therefore, AMC created SCAR-E as the best solution for exploring the Moon and Mars in the future. Quoting from Spacenews, AMC is looking for the International Space Station (ISS) to apply SCAR-E in 2026 or 2027.

After planning its mission and targets, SCAR-E or the child of this robot will be sent to an asteroid to explore the resources that humans need. This plan is expected to be realized in the 2030s.