(By the way, I like this ... "... tension mounted, spiderbots froze in place, maglocked to the surface of the ship, forelegs waving outward as they sensed what their brains told them was inevitable." -- The maglocks, along with the articulating segments of what I call "pedipalps" because they are capable of palpating objects with their pedal extremities, give the spiderbots, both large and small, remarkable maneuvering capabilities.)
... however, I would also remind you that we are preparing to embark on an experimental technique of asteroid harvesting. This will involve using specially equipped spiderbots, capable of maneuvering in space with photonic thrusters, which will go out to latch onto small objects and direct them into useful paths.
Over a long period of time, remarkable things can be done with small nudges here and there.
Great.
Spiderbots colonizing the belt.
I’m seeing them discovering and pursuing their own ends as well as their primary goals.