SpaceX delivers an AI robot, ice cream, mice to the space station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) – The International Space Station had its first robot with artificial intelligence Monday, with some berries, ice cream and identical brown mice.

The SpaceX capsule reached the station three days after the launch of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Stationary astronaut Ricky Arnold used a large mechanical arm to catch the Dragon capsule as the spacecraft flew over Quebec, Canada

The delivery of nearly 6,000 books included the Cimon round robot said Simon. Slightly larger than a basketball, the AI ​​robot of the German Space Agency is destined to assist German astronaut Alexander Gerst in scientific experiments. Cimon's brain will be constantly updated by IBM so that its intelligence and role will continue to grow.

There are also genetically identical mice to study intestinal bacteria and supercaffeinated coffee aboard the Dragon to accompany fresh blueberries. "We look forward to exciting experiences and great experiences," Arnold told Mission Control a few minutes after climbing the Dragon

. Arnold said: "It's hard to believe … until we arrived, it's an accomplishment."

Most of these visitors were provided by private American companies hired by NASA to keep the space station fully stocked.

Mission Control stated that it was appropriate that the last capture took place in Quebec; the robot arm of the station is Canada's contribution. Flight controllers in Houston successfully maneuvered the Dragon a few hours later. This particular dragon is recycled and has already visited the outpost.

In addition to Gerst, the 250-mile-high laboratory (400 kilometers high) houses three Americans and two Russians.

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Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Department of Science Education of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The AP is solely responsible for all content.