Robotic Humanoids to Colonise Mars + Travel to Jupiter?

Humanoid robots are rapidly advancing, driven by breakthroughs in AI, robotics, and materials science.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Startups like Figure AI, Agility Robotics, and Tesla's Optimus are leading the development of robots capable of human-like movement and tasks. Sending humanoid robots to space could precede widespread commercial human space travel, offering a safer, cost-effective way to build and maintain off-world infrastructure. Paving the way for robotic humanoids to colonise Mars and explore Jupiter and its moons.

What Are Robotic Humanoids?

• Definition: Robots that are designed to resemble and mimic human appearance, behavior, and movement.
  

• Goal: To interact naturally with human environments and people—both physically and socially.

Examples of Robotic Humanoids

 

Chinese startup has developed AI powered humanoid robots. Here is a short video shown on Bloomberg: 

The rise in space activity reflects a paradigm shift from exploration to industrialization. Since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, the number of satellites launched annually has seen a dramatic increase, particularly in recent decades.

 

Number of Satellites Launched

• 2024: A total of 2,578 operational satellites were deployed, contributing to a total of 2,963 objects placed into orbit.

• 2023: The previous year saw a record of 2,877 satellites launched, marking a 14.6% increase from 2022.

• 2022: In 2022, there were 2,485 satellites launched. 

The 21st century has witnessed a transformational surge in space activity, driven by technological innovation, commercial investment, and growing geopolitical interest. Here are the current robotic explorations in the space industry.

Current Robotics Exploration

A. Moon

• Artemis I (uncrewed) completed successfully in 2022.
  

• Upcoming Artemis II (2025): First crewed Moon flyby.
  

• Artemis III (targeting 2026–27): First human landing since Apollo.
  

• China and India planning crewed and robotic Moon missions.
  
  

B. Mars

• NASA's Perseverance rover continues exploring.
  

• Ingenuity helicopter completed 72+ flights.
  

• Mars Sample Return (NASA/ESA) in planning phase for late 2020s.
  

• China's Mars ambitions include sample return and potential crewed missions in 2030s.
  
  

C. Outer Planets

• JUICE (ESA): En route to Jupiter system (arrival ~2031).
  

• Europa Clipper (NASA): Launch scheduled for 2024–25, targeting Jupiter's moon Europa.

Emerging Technologies

• Nuclear Propulsion:
  

• NASA and DARPA testing nuclear thermal propulsion for faster Mars travel.
  

• Reusable Launch Vehicles:
  

• SpaceX Starship and Falcon 9; Blue Origin’s upcoming New Glenn.
  

• Artificial Intelligence in Space:
  

• Onboard autonomous systems for rovers and satellites.
  

• In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU):
  

• Testing tech for producing oxygen and fuel on Moon/Mars (e.g., MOXIE on Perseverance).

 

Current Limitations

• Radiation: Still the biggest challenge for deep space human travel.
  

• Life Support: Long-duration life systems are in development.
  

• Cost: Deep space missions are expensive and time-consuming.
  

• International Coordination: Political and regulatory complexities.

__________________________________________________________________________

Perhaps humanoids can be sent to space before commercial human space travel. The commercialisation of humanoids for everyday tasks may soon be a reality. 

 

Startups like Humanoid, founded by Artem Sokolov, aims to develop affordable and easy-to-use humanoid robots. The company aims to make robotics more accessible,  transforming how humans and robots interact in industrial environments. The idea of humanoid robot factories modeled on car production lines is a possibility. Here are some of the potential applications of robotic humanoids:

Applications of Robotic Humanoids

1. Healthcare

• Assisting elderly, physical therapy, remote care via telepresence.

2. Customer Service

• Receptionists, information kiosks, hotel service robots.

3. Education

• Teaching aids, especially for children and special needs education.

4. Entertainment

• Theme parks, movies, interactive exhibits.

5. Search and Rescue

• Navigating disaster zones that are too dangerous for humans.

6. Space Exploration

• Performing tasks in zero-gravity or extreme environments.

__________________________________________________________________________

Humanoids to Colonise Mars Before Humans?

| A million humanoids on Mars by 2055?

Current Plans & Timelines

A. NASA

• Mars Sample Return: In development (late 2020s).
  

• Crewed Mission: Targeting late 2030s using Artemis-driven tech.
  
  

B. SpaceX

• Starship program designed for Mars colonization.
  

• Elon Musk's vision:
  
   "A million people on Mars by 2100."
  

• First uncrewed cargo Starship could launch to Mars late 2020s, followed by crewed missions early 2030s (ambitious).
  
  

C. Other Entities

• China (CNSA): Plans for Mars sample return and human landing around 2040.
  

• Private and international efforts: SpaceX-Axiom collaborations, Mars Society advocacy, etc.

Deep space exploration is of interest to government institutions and private enterprise. Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. Human travel to Jupiter is not currently possible.

Robotic Missions to Jupiter

Past and Current Missions

Estimated Time with Current Tech:

• 6 to 8 years using current ion propulsion or gravity assist maneuvers.
  

• Examples:
  

• Juno: Took 5 years (2011–2016) using gravity assists.
  

• JUICE: Expected to take 8 years (2023–2031).

 

Why Explore Jupiter?

• Study giant planet formation.
  

• Understand magnetic fields and radiation belts.
  

• Search for extra-terrestrial life in subsurface oceans.
  

• Serve as a stepping stone to deeper space (Saturn, Uranus, Neptune).

Understanding Jupiter’s magnetic fields and radiation belts is not only scientifically fascinating but also offers multiple pathways for commercialization in the space sector, energy industry, and advanced materials. 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here are some potential commercial applications:

1. Spacecraft and Satellite Shielding Solutions

• Opportunity: Jupiter's intense magnetic field and radiation belts pose a significant challenge to spacecraft and satellites that pass through them. By studying these fields, scientists and engineers can develop advanced shielding technologies to protect both crewed and uncrewed space missions.
  

• Commercialization: Companies could produce advanced radiation-hardened materials and magnetic shielding for spacecraft, which would be valuable not only for missions to Jupiter but also for deep-space exploration, lunar missions, or Mars missions. This could be marketed to space agencies, private companies, and commercial satellite providers.
  
  

2. Advanced Sensors and Magnetometers

• Opportunity: Understanding Jupiter's magnetic fields can lead to the development of highly sensitive sensors and magnetometers to measure and analyze magnetic fields in space. These tools are crucial for planetary exploration, navigation, and scientific research.
  

• Commercialization: Companies could produce high-precision magnetometers and sensor arrays for use in both deep-space exploration and Earth-based applications such as environmental monitoring, geophysics, and security (e.g., detecting submarines or underground structures).
  
  

3. Space Radiation Research and Protection

• Opportunity: Jupiter’s radiation belts are among the most powerful in the solar system. Understanding them better can lead to improved radiation protection technologies, not just for space exploration but for industries that require shielding from radiation.
  

• Commercialization: Developing new radiation-protection materials could have applications in nuclear power plants, medical devices (e.g., radiation therapy or X-ray equipment), and aviation (for flights at high altitudes). The space-based research could also lead to advanced radiation detection devices for safety in space or for industries dealing with radioactive materials.
  
  

4. Energy Harvesting from Magnetic Fields

• Opportunity: Jupiter’s powerful magnetic field could offer insights into new ways of harnessing energy. Magnetic fields, in theory, can be used for energy generation in space (e.g., using electrodynamic tethers).
  

• Commercialization: Technologies developed to harvest energy from magnetic fields could potentially be adapted to create space-based energy generation systems. For instance, solar sails and electrodynamic tethers could be used to generate power for long-duration space missions, reducing reliance on traditional power sources like solar panels.
  
  

5. Satellite Navigation and Positioning Systems

• Opportunity: The study of Jupiter’s magnetic field can help improve space-based navigation systems by providing a better understanding of how planetary magnetic fields can be used for navigating spacecraft.
  

• Commercialization: Companies could adapt this research to create next-generation space navigation systems that don’t rely on traditional GPS or ground-based systems. These could be applied to deep-space exploration, satellite positioning, or even autonomous vehicles on Earth that use magnetic fields for positioning.
  
  

6. Mining and Resource Exploration

• Opportunity: Magnetic fields can also be studied for their potential use in mining resources from asteroids or other planets. If Jupiter's moons or other parts of its system are rich in resources, understanding the magnetic environment can help in resource extraction.
  

• Commercialization: This research could lead to the development of space mining technologies, where companies could create mining robots or resource extraction systems capable of working in the harsh environments of space.
  
  

7. Advanced Space Weather Prediction

• Opportunity: Studying Jupiter’s radiation belts could help improve our understanding of space weather and its impacts on both Earth and other planetary systems. By understanding how magnetic fields influence radiation and solar winds, we could better predict space weather events.
  

• Commercialization: Companies could develop space weather prediction systems that are crucial for satellite operations, communications, and even aviation (e.g., preventing solar radiation from affecting flights at high altitudes). This data could also be valuable for insurance companies or other industries impacted by space weather.
  
  

8. Space Tourism and Habitation

• Opportunity: As space tourism and space habitation expand, understanding radiation belts and magnetic fields will be crucial for protecting astronauts and tourists from harmful radiation in space.
  

• Commercialization: Companies in the space tourism sector could use insights into magnetic fields to design radiation-safe habitats, space hotels, and tourist spacecraft, offering safe and enjoyable experiences in space.
  
  

9. AI-Driven Space Exploration Systems

• Opportunity: With advanced studies of Jupiter's magnetic field, AI can be used to develop autonomous systems capable of adapting to space environments. These systems can be integrated into spacecraft to monitor radiation and magnetic environments in real-time.
  

• Commercialization: AI-powered space exploration tools could be used by private space companies, universities, and research organizations, improving the efficiency and safety of long-duration space missions, like those targeting Mars or the moons of Jupiter.

__________________________________________________________________________

New Space Businesses

The global capacity for space exploration has reached unprecedented levels, marked by a significant increase in rocket launches, the proliferation of rideshare missions, and a burgeoning commercial space sector. New business models like satellite constellations, space logistics, and space tourism have opened up the market. The commercial potential for space related business include:

• Satellite Deployments: The increasing number of launches is driven by the demand for satellite constellations, such as SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper, aiming to provide global broadband internet services.
  

• Space Tourism: Companies like Blue Origin and Axiom Space are advancing plans for commercial space tourism, with missions like Axiom's Ax-4 aiming to send private astronauts to the International Space Station.
  

• In-Orbit Services: The rise of companies offering in-orbit services, such as satellite servicing and debris removal, is expanding the commercial space ecosystem.
  
  

New Nations in Space

• Countries like India, UAE, South Korea, and Brazil are launching their own missions and satellites, increasing space democratization.

Emergence of Space Startups

• Startups like AstroForge (asteroid mining), Open Cosmos (data-as-a-service), and ATMOS (return capsules) are reshaping the industry.

Mega-Constellations

• Projects like Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon Kuiper aim to deploy tens of thousands of satellites for global internet coverage. These constellations account for a majority of new launches.

Small Satellite Revolution

• The advent of CubeSats and smallsats has made space accessible to startups, universities, and developing nations.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

With advances in robotics, 3D printing, and AI, the use of humanoids in space exploration is becoming a reality. Fully automated humanoid factories with mass production capabilities, can provide a colony for Mars well before commercial space tourism/ humans colonising Mars.