Japan is sending a vacuum to a moon of Mars. Mine would like someone to move a shoe.
The Riff. October 20, 2026
Japan just launched a spacecraft to a moon of Mars, where it will collect dirt and bring it back to Earth.
I have three dogs. We are already exceeding our dirt goals. Earth has plenty of dirt.
Then I read that part of the collection process involves vacuuming.
I had hoped that by the time we developed interplanetary travel, we might be finished with chores. Apparently, you can escape Earth’s gravity, but somebody still expects you to do the floors.
I have a Roomba and a Tapo at home that vacuum and mop. Both move faster than the mission’s rover. Both occasionally require me to stop what I’m doing and move a shoe.
Somewhere in mission control, scientists will wait for a notification from another world.
“Your robot requires assistance.”
Of course it does.
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