Houston, we have robots!

We got a special treat today- a tour of NASA's Robotics Facility! NASA Robotics Computer Programmer Jodi Graf showed us around the area where NASA designs experimental robots, with an emphasis on Humanoid Robots. Jodi Graf explains what she does: 

So cool! While in the Building 9 Robotics chance, we got a chance to see Project Valkyrie, which is one of NASA's Humoid robot projects. They are working to program her to walk and act like a human. This might help astronauts set up Habitats (Habs) on the Moon and on Mars someday! 

In addition to Valkyrie, there were a number of other concept robots, such the Centaur Robot, and a concept for a Mars Rover, shown below:
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We also got a chance to see rovers, which are the vehicles that travel on the ground of moons and planets. We climbed inside to take a look:

Ms. Imhoff also took a look at the Planetary Analgue Site, also known as the "Rock Yard." This is a large area where NASA tests Lunar Rovers for upcoming missions. 

After lunch, we got a glimpse of the Astronaut Training Facility. This is where astronauts train for every possible scenario and get to know their spacecraft inside and out. They spend hours and hours inside these simulators. It also helps Mission Control and the Astronauts learn the communication skills they will need when the astronauts launch. 

Did you know that the International Space Station (ISS) is actually the size of a football field? It was huge! 

Tomorrow, we'll get an inside look at Mission Control.