But what if robots could do the job, allowing humans to focus on other tasks? If that sounds far-fetched, consider that NASA is already working with a select group of scientists to prepare robots to help, or even replace, human astronauts. Earlier this year, the space agency awarded two of its humanoid robot prototypes, the R5, to scientists at Northeastern University and MIT, tasking teams with developing the robot's ability to help in extreme space missions, such as one to Mars.