Project "SpaceHopper"

Swiss develop hopping space robot

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a robot (pictured) that moves by hopping.(Bild: EHT Zürich/Dominik Lindegger)

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich have now developed a robot that moves by hopping. The "SpaceHopper" will one day be used on space missions to explore celestial bodies such as asteroids and moons.

With the help of hopping movements, it can also move around in places with very low gravity, as ETH Zurich announced on Thursday. It is therefore suitable as an exploration robot for small celestial bodies.

(Bild: EHT Zürich/Dominik Lindegger)

Already tested during parabolic flight
The functionality of the "SpaceHopper" has already been tested in zero gravity on a so-called parabolic flight by the European Space Agency (ESA). Back in 2008, a British scientist also developed a robot called "Jollbot", which can hop around like a grasshopper or a ball.

The functionality of the "SpaceHopper" has already been tested in zero gravity, on a so-called parabolic flight.(Bild: ETH Zürich/Nicolas Courtioux)

Small celestial bodies such as asteroids or moons may contain valuable natural resources that could be used by mankind in the future. In addition, the exploration of these celestial bodies could provide insights into the formation of the universe.