A Robot Named Xiao Hang Is Helping Chinese Astronauts in Space

Astronauts aboard China’s Tiangong space station are getting help from a clever robot named Xiao Hang, or ‘Little Space,’ Space.com reports. The Shenzhou 19 crew—Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze—are working with this robot using special software designed for human-robot collaboration.

Xiao Hang’s tasks include moving around in zero gravity, orienting itself, and snapping photos on command. According to China Central Television (CCTV), these experiments aim to improve teamwork between astronauts and robots, making missions more efficient.

The robot’s future looks promising. Wang Haoze, China’s first female spaceflight engineer, mentioned that with future upgrades, Xiao Hang could handle jobs like in-cabin inspections and resource management.

While Xiao Hang focuses on robotics, the astronauts have been conducting various scientific experiments. One task involved collecting fruit flies and organizing samples to study how low magnetic fields and microgravity affect the insects.

The crew also measured fine motor skills using precision tools and experimental software. This research helps us understand how astronauts adapt to long-term space missions.

The Shenzhou 19 mission started on October 29, with the crew’s first spacewalk taking place on December 18. The Tiangong station, completed in 2022, is about 20% the size of the International Space Station. China plans to keep it running for at least a decade and may add more modules over time.

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