In context
In 2025, small celestial body exploration was gaining momentum as a key scientific and resource-driven frontier. Long-term surface sampling missions were increasingly planned, yet the microgravity and complex terrain of asteroids and comets made reliable anchoring a critical unsolved challenge for robotic explorers.
What was reported
Researchers proposed a multi-toed microspine gripping device mounted at the end of an exploration robot. The device uses 12 independently moving flexible toes, each equipped with sharp spines that hook onto surface irregularities to provide anchoring force without penetrating deeply. It is driven by a single motor, with a screw-nut mechanism that sequentially deploys and tensions the toes.
Simulation and ground tests evaluated spine angles of 15°, 30°, 45°, and 60°. Results showed that 30° spines offered the best combination of anchoring success rate, quality, and average anchoring force, outperforming other angles in terrain adaptability. The device requires minimal downward pressure, operates across wide temperature ranges, and supports repeated fixation and release cycles.
Tests were conducted on simulated rocky surfaces with varying roughness and undulation, confirming the device's effectiveness in providing stable axial and radial fixation under low gravity conditions.
Why it mattered
This work provides a practical engineering solution for enabling long-term, multi-point sampling on small celestial bodies—a capability essential for future missions aiming to return substantial samples or conduct extended in-situ analysis, with potential spin-offs for anchoring systems in extreme terrestrial environments.
“The device has a strong adaptability in wide range of landforms by analysis and verification through ground tests.”
Source: 《机器人》期刊 (robot.sia.cn) · Published 2025-11-19 · “小天体探测机器人表面附着装置设计与验证”