No matter how mentally and physically prepared they are, future astronauts bound for deep space can’t escape their mortal restrictions. At some point during their long and isolated journeys, these pioneers might need medical care. But that’s tough. In space, there are no hospitals.
Enter MIRA.
On Tuesday, scientists from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln said their invention of a small surgical robot — called the miniaturized in vivo robotic assistant, or MIRA — will board the International Space Station for zero-gravity testing in 2024. Ultimately, the team’s hope is for MIRA to accompany astronauts as they fly toward Mars and zoom through the untouched outer reaches of space…