Space Is Hard | The Gear of Exoplanet Exploration

(gentle music)

When humans touch down on a new planet,

we're going to need some help making it more homey.

Bring a robot or two for the grunt work,

but maybe think twice about bots that look like us.

Most of them have a real hard time just walking around.

What humans really need is task-oriented robots

like NASA's digger prototype.

This tank-track little guy is built

to mine the surface of Mars with backhoe claws

that spin in opposite directions

so the robot doesn't flip over.

While this guy digs for water and minerals on Mars,

humans will be free to do the fine motor stuff

that we're so good at.

But to get around, we'll need new space duds,

like NASA's prototype Z2 suit,

which has flexible joints designed for

exoplanet strolling, not space walks.

Its bubble helmet visor will make it easier

to see what you're working on.

Oh, and to avoid stepping all over our robot friends.

Easy, little guy.

(gentle music)