NASA’s Valkyrie Humanoid Robot: A Step Toward Autonomous Space Work and Earth Remote Maintenance
NASA is advancing the development of a humanoid robot named Valkyrie with the goal of remote maintenance for autonomous and marine power facilities. In the longer term, the machine is envisioned to assist astronauts and potentially undertake independent space exploration. The project is being reported by the Space Agency as part of ongoing efforts to expand robotic capabilities for both earthly infrastructure and extraterrestrial missions.
The Valkyrie prototype stands about 183 centimeters tall and is powered by dual Intel Core i7 processors with a 1.8 kilowatt hour battery. This configuration supports roughly an hour of autonomous operation before a recharge is needed. Initial testing is planned in Australia in collaboration with Woodside Energy. The company will evaluate the robot software and supply NASA with data that can accelerate the evolution of robotics for remote operations from Earth, enabling tasks to be performed on Mars or the Moon without direct astronaut presence.
Key responsibilities for Valkyrie include supervising and maintaining critical infrastructure and assisting with the care of plants cultivated in space environments. NASA envisions the robot handling repetitive, monotonous tasks to free up human workers for more complex, creative, and strategic work. This shift aims to improve efficiency and safety in demanding settings where humans may face extended exposure to hazardous conditions.
NASA plans to leverage the experience gained with Valkyrie at the Woodside facility to inform the best design principles for robots intended to operate in polluted or hazardous environments. The focus is on science and exploration scenarios such as long term lunar habitats and industrial setups created for future Artemis missions. The knowledge gathered will shape future robotic platforms capable of sustained operation in extreme environments, both on the Moon and in space settlements.
In a related note, previous activity highlights NASA footage from the James Webb Space Telescope capturing dramatic views of a spiral galaxy, underscoring the ongoing push to push boundaries across space science and robotic exploration.