In a remarkable development for the Chinese space programme, the South China Morning Post recently reported that Taikobot, a humanoid robot, will soon join the crew of the recently completed Tienkung space station. Standing 171 centimetres tall and weighing just 25 kilograms, Taikobot’s primary role will be to assist astronauts with small tasks and efficiently transport various equipment between the station’s different modules.
A British startup, Gravitilab, has become the first to carry out a microgravity experiment using a drone, with much better results than any purpose-built device for this type of experiment has ever achieved.