A pincer system is comprised of an array of pincers. Each pincer includes an inner disk having legs that are pushed downwards onto a pliable material to cause protuberances, while an outer disk is rotated to simultaneously squeeze the extruded material between its legs and those of the stationary inner disk. Tracks provide for slideable movement of the individual pincers. The system, carrying an attached micro-satellite, translates across a pliable material covering a spacecraft by coordinating the movement of the pincers with their grasping of the pliable material. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, and is intended to allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.