In Photos: Robonaut 2, NASA's Robot Butler for Astronauts

By Tariq Malik
published

Robonaut 2: Mobility in Zero Gravity

NASA

With legs, Robonaut 2 will be able to assist astronauts with both hands while keeping at least one leg anchored to the station structure at all times. Image released Nov. 13, 2013.

Robonaut 2 Gains Climbing Legs

NASA

This image shows NASA's Robonaut 2 with climbing legs, designed to give the robot mobility in zero gravity. With legs, Robonaut 2 will be able to assist astronauts with both hands while keeping at least one leg anchored to the station structure at all times. Image released Nov. 13, 2013.

Going Mobile

NASA/JSC

Robonaut B's upper body can attach to a Segway-built robotic mobility platform (RMP) in order to drive on Earth.

Boba Fett Robonaut

NASA; Disney/Lucasfilm

The first-generation Robonaut looks more than a little bit like the bounty hunter Boba Fett from "Star Wars."

Robonaut Opens Switch Cover

Robotnaut (via Facebook)

Robonaut posted this photo on Facebook while working on the International Space Station August 23, 2012. The robot, a joint project of NASA and General Motors, wrote: “Switch cover has been opened by my dexterous fingers.”

Super Bowl LI - robonauts

NASA Photographer Robert Markowitz

Coheed and Cambria's Travis Stever + Robonaut at NASA Johnson Space Center

NASA Johnson Space Center

Rock band Coheed and Cambria's guitarist Travis Stever shakes Robonaut 2's hand at NASA's Johnson Space Center In Houston, Texas - Sept. 17th, 2014

Robonaut

NASA

NASA's Robonaut is just one of many real world robots that help astronauts in space.

Coheed and Cambria + Robonaut 2 Action at NASA Johnson Space Center

NASA Johnson Space Center

Rock band Coheed an Cambria watch Robonaut 2 move at NASA's Johnson Space Center In Houston, Texas - Sept. 17th, 2014

Coheed and Cambria's Zach Cooper + Robonaut at NASA Johnson Space Center

NASA Johnson Space Center

Rock band Coheed and Cambria's bassist Zach Cooper shakes Robonaut 2's hand at NASA's Johnson Space Center In Houston, Texas - Sept. 17th, 2014

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Tariq Malik
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief

Tariq is the Editor-in-Chief of Space.com and joined the team in 2001, first as an intern and staff writer, and later as an editor. He covers human spaceflight, exploration and space science, as well as skywatching and entertainment. He became Space.com's Managing Editor in 2009 and Editor-in-Chief in 2019. Before joining Space.com, Tariq was a staff reporter for The Los Angeles Times covering education and city beats in La Habra, Fullerton and Huntington Beach. In October 2022, Tariq received the Harry Kolcum Award for excellence in space reporting from the National Space Club Florida Committee. He is also an Eagle Scout (yes, he has the Space Exploration merit badge) and went to Space Camp four times as a kid and a fifth time as an adult. He has journalism degrees from the University of Southern California and New York University. You can find Tariq at Space.com and as the co-host to the This Week In Space podcast with space historian Rod Pyle on the TWiT network. To see his latest project, you can follow Tariq on Twitter @tariqjmalik.