NASA to send MIRA, a robotic surgeon, to the International Space Station

NASA will fund a project to create a robotic surgeon. And the device will be sent to the International Space Station.

What is known

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration will allocate funds for the development of MIRA (Miniaturized In vivo Robotic Assistan) robot. Virtual Incision at the University of Nebraska has been working on the compact assistant for nearly 20 years.

In 2021, the startup tested the robot as part of a colon resection surgery with a single incision in the navel area. The device is operated by surgeons during the surgery. On the ISS, MIRA will be used to cut tapes and put metal rings on wires. At the same time, the robot will operate autonomously.

The procedures performed will help specialists understand whether MIRA will be able to perform surgery on the space station in the future, should any of the crew members require surgery. As part of the project, NASA and Virtual Incision want to prepare the robot for deep-space work without the possibility of remote control.

Scientists intend to study how MIRA behaves in zero gravity conditions. It is expected that in the future such devices will be part of the basic equipment of spacecraft.

Source: The Register