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Eduardo Felix

Professor Wong

ENG 1001E

10 Sep 2023

Summary of “Little Robots in Space” by Michael Szpir.

In "Little Robots in Space" American Scientist editor Michael Szpir, introduces a

paradigm shift in satellite technology called satbots. These diminutive robots, designed with

adaptability and simplicity in mind, could potentially redefine the approach to space exploration

and observation. With their ability to withstand the harsh conditions of space, including the

threat of solar disturbances and cosmic debris, satbots offer a cost effective and reliable

alternative to traditional satellites. One of the applications for satbots lies in their adaptability to

monitor the magnetopause, which defines the bounds between Earth electromagnetic field and

solar wind. Szpir indicates that "[i]n fact, the satbot's nervous network is designed so that the

little robot's actions are based on electromagnetic changes in its environment. A six-neuron

satbot can reliably orient itself to the sun by reacting against the ambient magnetic field, merely

using some simple photosensors and wire coils." He explains how the satbot's nervous network

operates in a unique way, relying on electromagnetic changes in its surroundings to guide its

actions. By deploying hundreds or thousands of these agile robots, scientists could gain valuable

insights into the dynamics of critical regions, fainting light on space weather and its impact on

our planet. The concept of "pixelsats" opens a new area of possibilities in imaging technology.

By distributing numerous satbots equipped with photosensors over vast areas, a network of these

small "pixels" could collectively provide high-resolution images of Earth and its surroundings.
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This innovation could have numerous implications, from enhancing weather forecasting to aiding

in disaster management and environmental monitoring. The potential of Satbots to democratize

space access, could be considered one of its most creative features. The vision of producing

affordable, credit card sized payloads for new astronomers and small-scale scientific missions

can revolutionize the way humans engage with space. The possibilities if individuals, educational

institutions, and research organizations could send their experiments and instruments into orbit,

breaking down the barriers to entry in space exploration. As scientists collaborate with

organizations like NASA and DARPA to further develop and fund experiments with satbots, the

future of space technology would be more accessible than before. While challenges remain, the

prospect of making space exploration "smaller, faster, cheaper" through the mass production of

satbots holds great promise for scientific discovery and technological advancement in the years

to come.
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Works Cited

Szpir, Michael. "Little robots in space." American Scientist, 31 Mar. 2023,

www.americanscientist.org/article/little-robots-in-space.

Accessed 8 Sep. 2023