China's robot dogs on the Moon: mining ice and supporting astronauts emotionally

Chinese engineers want to make four-legged robots permanent members of a future lunar base. The concept envisions machines not only handling heavy work but also talking to astronauts to provide psychological support during isolation. The proposal was developed by specialists from the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering.

Researchers argue that long-term human presence on the Moon comes with serious risks: low gravity, radiation, temperature swings, abrasive dust, and communication delays with Earth make crew-only operations too dangerous. The station should therefore rely on a division of duties: humans make decisions in unusual situations, perform delicate tasks, and fix faults, while robots take on repetitive, heavy, and hazardous work.

One scenario describes an expedition of three astronauts with robotic assistants. The first crew member controls two robot dogs that walk ahead, survey the surface, and identify dangerous spots. The second astronaut works on the surface, collecting rock samples and carrying out precise operations. The third stays inside a sealed mobile module, monitors the mission, and takes over control of other robots if needed. The four-legged platform is considered best suited for rough terrain with rocks, ledges, and uneven ground.

Reconnaissance is not the only task for the robots. Scientists divide the station's work into four areas: crew life support, scientific experiments, local resource utilization, and maintenance. Machines are expected to search for and extract water ice, mine minerals, build structures from local materials, and prepare lava tubes as shielded habitats. In living areas, robots could monitor air and temperature, inspect equipment, clean, tend plants, and cook. The authors also suggest a social role: a companion robot could talk to astronauts.