A small lunar exploration robot developed by a major toy maker in collaboration with JAXA = Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, etc., making use of toy making technology such as deforming robots was released on the 15th.

The small robot with a diameter of about 8 cm and a mass of about 250 grams, which TAKARATOMY has been developing in collaboration with JAXA and others for about 6 years, has been released to the press.

This robot, which fits in both hands, is a sphere until it reaches the surface of the moon, but after landing on the surface of the moon, the sphere spreads to the left and right, and part of it turns into wheels, allowing it to travel on the surface of the moon.



In the development, the know-how of designing and manufacturing the toy transforming robot that the manufacturer has worked on is utilized, and two small cameras are mounted on the front and back of the robot.

On the moon, the plan is to send the images taken by driving for about 1 to 2 hours to the earth.



The rocket equipped with this robot is scheduled to be launched twice during the next fiscal year, and we would like to demonstrate the technology of lunar exploration.



Mr. Kenta Hashiba of TAKARATOMY who was involved in the development said, "I am very happy that the toy making technology can contribute to the miniaturization and weight reduction required for this exploration. First of all, I succeeded in the mission and will continue to cooperate in space exploration. I want to go. "

Participation of private companies in the lunar exploration plan one after another

In Japan's lunar exploration plan, JAXA = Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's unmanned spacecraft "SLIM" is scheduled to be sent to the lunar surface by the H2A rocket next year.



The spacecraft plans to demonstrate the technology of landing on the lunar surface and analyze the rocks of the moon.



And private companies are participating in these lunar exploration projects one after another.



The spacecraft "SLIM" has two small robots, one of which was developed in collaboration with JAXA by manufacturers such as "TakaraTomy".



In addition, the space venture company "ispace" in Tokyo plans to send the developed lunar rover and lander to the moon with an American rocket sequentially after the end, and this lander also has "TakaraTomy" etc. In addition to being equipped with the developed small robot, demonstration experiments of new batteries developed by another company will also be conducted.



In addition, Toyota is collaborating with JAXA on a lunar rover that allows astronauts to move on the surface of the moon.



Behind the participation of private companies in the lunar exploration project, the momentum to use outer space for business is increasing, especially in the United States, and the country is encouraging Japanese private companies to enter space development. I have.



Tetsuya Sakashita, Deputy Hub Director of JAXA's Space Exploration Innovation Hub, said, "I want companies to utilize the results of their development in space and ground businesses."