Soft Robotics is publishing a special issue that will explore how soft robotics is transforming the space exploration landscape.
As space exploration pushes the boundaries of human knowledge and presence, its growing complexity requires more adaptable technologies. Traditional rigid systems often struggle in the unpredictable and harsh environments of space, limiting mission effectiveness. Soft robotics, however, has the potential to revolutionize this frontier by providing flexible, resilient, and adaptive solutions for tasks such as navigating unstructured terrains, enhancing the maintenance and inspection of space infrastructure, and developing advanced materials suited for extreme conditions.
This issue offers the community an opportunity to collectively address the question: "How can soft robotics unlock new capabilities for exploring and interacting with uncharted space environments?" Serving as a comprehensive platform, the special issue will present cutting-edge research, address critical technical challenges, and highlight emerging opportunities for the integration of soft robotics into space missions, paving the way for more versatile and efficient exploration technologies.