---
title: "See the Tiny Flying Robots That Could One Day Explore Space"
description: "The latest version of the ionocraft — a tiny robot that uses ion propulsion to fly — is slightly larger than its predecessor."
date: "2019-02-06"
modified: "2019-02-06"
authors:
  - name: "Kristin Houser"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/kristin"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/ionocraft-flying-robots-explore-space"
categories:
  - "Robotics"
  - "Robots and Machines"
tags:
  - "ion propulsion"
  - "ion thruster"
  - "ionocraft"
  - "the digest"
---

# See the Tiny Flying Robots That Could One Day Explore Space

![The latest version of the ionocraft — a tiny robot that uses ion propulsion to fly — is slightly larger than its predecessor.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ionocraft-flying-robots-explore-space.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: UC Berkeley\</em\>*

## Float On

In 2017, we [wrote about the ionocraft](<https://futurism.com/the-same-tech-propelling-satellites-in-space-could-power-tiny-robots-on-earth>), a tiny robot that uses ion thrusters to hover silently, "like a UFO."

On Tuesday, *IEEE Spectrum* published an [interview](<https://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/drones/pennysized-ionocraft-flies-with-no-moving-parts>) with one of the craft's creators, UC Berkeley's Daniel Drew. In it, he predicts it's just a matter of time before the bots become autonomous — and potentially begin exploring space for humanity.

https://youtu.be/6rDBV12sCB4

## Ionocraft 2.0

To super-simplify the science behind ion propulsion, ion thrusters — also known as electrohydrodynamic (EHD) thrusters — use electricity to accelerate positive ions and create thrust.

The ion propulsion robot Berkeley showed off in 2017 was small enough to fit on the face of a penny. According to Drew, the team is now working on a larger model that's about .78 inches in diameter — approximately the width of a quarter.

## Space Bot

Although current versions of the ionocraft must be tethered to a power source, Drew thinks that won't always be the case — and once they can fly freely, the tiny bots could have a variety of applications, including space exploration.

"If we move towards a model of robot swarms as future interstellar explorers (e.g. Starshot), then I think EHD would be an interested propulsion mechanism," he told *IEEE Spectrum*. "It’s relatively simple to incorporate on chip and, maybe combined with some clever physical structures, could help with wide area dispersal even in the absence of full autonomy."

**READ MORE:** [Penny-Sized Ionocraft Flies With No Moving Parts](<https://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/drones/pennysized-ionocraft-flies-with-no-moving-parts>) \[*IEEE Spectrum*\]

***More on ionocrafts: [The Same Tech Propelling Satellites in Space Could Power Tiny Robots on Earth](<https://futurism.com/the-same-tech-propelling-satellites-in-space-could-power-tiny-robots-on-earth>)***

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinjhouser>)