RUSSIALINK: “Robot FEDOR returns to Korolyov” – Interfax

MOSCOW. Sept 10 (Interfax) – The Soyuz MS-14 landing capsule carrying the humanoid robot FEDOR, which returned to the Earth on Saturday, has returned to Korolyov.

“I am back in Korolyov together with the landing capsule,” FEDOR wrote on Twitter, and posted a video showing the process of his extraction from the capsule.

“I am glad to meet with specialists of our legendary space company,” he said, adding, “Awaiting post-flight check instructions.”

The Soyuz MS-14 capsule carrying FEDOR successfully landed in Kazakhstan at 12:32 a.m. on September 7, two minutes earlier than planned.

The robot took part in a series of experiments, mostly testing its fine motor skills, in zero gravity on board the International Space Station (ISS). For instance, FEDOR used a drill and a towel and plugged together electric connectors, as well as performing some other operations.

A next-generation robot will be sent to the ISS next time, Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin said. The new robot will have no legs and will be less humanlike, he said. “The groundwork laid in other projects which were suspended,” will be used to create the next-generation robot, he said.

The new robot will go on space missions and take part in the Russian lunar program, Rogozin said.