Sunita Williams imitates tentacle-like arms of the Astrobee robotic free-flyer, NASA shares pic

American space agency NASA has shared a picture of Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams who is currently on an eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In the picture shared by NASA, Sunita Williams can be seen imitating the tentacle-like arms of the Astrobee robotic free-flyer in the foreground.

Sharing the picture, NASA went on to explain the benefits of Astrobee robots and how they help them in space while they perform routine duties. Astrobee robots help astronauts reduce time they spend on routine duties, leaving them to focus more on the things that only humans can do, NASA explained.

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How astrobee robots help astronauts in space

The space agency went on to add that astrobee robots are designed to complete multiple tasks such as taking inventory, documenting experiments conducted by astronauts with their built-in cameras or working together to move cargo throughout the station.

"Working autonomously or via remote control by astronauts, flight controllers or researchers on the ground, the robots are designed to complete tasks such as taking inventory, documenting experiments conducted by astronauts with their built-in cameras or working together to move cargo throughout the station. In addition, the system serves as a research platform that can be outfitted and programmed to carry out experiments in microgravity – helping us to learn more about how robotics can benefit astronauts in space," NASA said.

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Why Sunita Williams is growing lettuce in space

Stuck in space for more than seven months now, Sunita Williams is spearheading groundbreaking agricultural research in space and growing lettuce. As the station's commander, Sunita Williams is experimenting with growing “Outredgeous” romaine lettuce in microgravity, addressing critical challenges of farming in space.

This study involves analysing growth rates, nutritional content, and the overall health of lettuce grown in microgravity. By addressing these parameters, the research aims to support NASA's goal of establishing self-sustaining life-support systems for space exploration.

The data collected from the "Outredgeous" lettuce experiment will contribute to NASA’s broader goals of achieving self-sustaining habitats for long-term missions. Simultaneously, it offers valuable insights for Earth, particularly in addressing global food security challenges.

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NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024 for its first crewed flight, arriving at the space station on June 6. She is engaged in routine maintenance tasks and scientific experiments aboard the ISS. Originally planned for an eight-day stay, the mission was extended due to technical issues with the spacecraft's service module.

Following the agency’s decision to return Starliner uncrewed, the duo is currently living and working aboard the space station as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew and will return home in February 2025 aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.