China tests robot on board Tiangong space station

The test, designed to check that the robot could be used effectively to maintain pipes and operate safely, was carried out last month, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

The Shenzhou-19 crew currently stationed on board the space station put it through its paces in a simulated network of complex piping.

The agency said: “During the test, the robot smoothly and reliably passed through straight pipes, curved pipes and tapered pipes of various diameters.”

Pipelines on the space station come in different shapes and sizes and feature large differences in diameter as well as sudden changes in dimension, making it difficult for a robot to adapt and increasing the risk it will get stuck.

To ensure the device was sufficiently flexible and adaptable, the developers looked to the movements of the hydraulic tube feet that marine animals such as starfish use to move.