Surgical Robot Could Perform Surgeries By Itself on Space Station

Is it possible that astronauts would like robotic surgery?

The International Space Station will soon be home to a remote controlled surgical robot called MIRA.

Virtual Incision Corporation signed a contract with NASA to create the robot.

The surgical robot is not going to perform surgeries on astronauts any time soon.

NASA plans to keep a group of astronauts on or around the Moon for a long period of time. What to do in case of a medical emergency is one of the challenges posed by that ambitious goal.

Small But Mighty

In the absence of a human surgeon in space, MIRA could be controlled by one back on Earth.

MIRA is the only one that has a tiny robot that weighs in at just two pounds. It's a huge improvement in scale compared to other solutions.

MIRA will perform surgical procedures on objects like rubber bands and rings during its upcoming test. The tests are meant to help calibrate MIRA.

Down to Earth

MIRA's development could have life-saving implications back here on Earth. If engineers can get robotic-assisted surgery tech to work as far out in space as possible, health providers could deploy something like a MIRA to remote areas that are in dire need of advanced medical care.

What is stopping us from using it in remote areas of the world if it can perform surgeries hundreds of miles into space?

There is a robot that will officially hit Chinese streets.