American medical technology developer Virtual Incision will send its MIRA robotic device designed for remote operations to the International Space Station (ISS). This situation was officially reported Web site National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) USA.
The device will be launched into orbit aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft. The start is planned for January 30.
MIRA is a machine vaguely reminiscent of an immersion blender, in a rectangular cylindrical body, about half a meter long and weighing 900 grams. The device is equipped with two manipulators for working with surgical instruments.
Virtual Incision has stated that they do not yet plan to perform surgery on humans on the ISS using MIRA. Instead, the robot will practice cutting simulated surgical tissue. The device will be controlled remotely from Earth.
Company representatives believe that the technology will find application not only in space, but also in remote and sparsely populated regions where modern hospitals are not available.
In addition to MIRA, the Cygnus rocket will also provide the ISS with other scientific equipment, including a 3D printer for precision printing of small metal parts and an artificial retina growth system in microgravity.
Previously, a robot appeared in the USA for the first time in history transplanted human liver.