Articles tagged with "space-robotics"
Video: NASA's cute cube robot flies autonomously for first time on ISS
Stanford researchers have successfully demonstrated the first AI-based autonomous flight of Astrobee, a cube-shaped, fan-powered robot aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Astrobee is designed to navigate the ISS’s confined, equipment-filled corridors to perform tasks such as leak detection and supply delivery, potentially reducing astronauts’ workload. The team developed a novel route-planning system using sequential convex programming combined with machine learning, which enables the robot to generate safe and efficient trajectories more quickly by leveraging patterns learned from thousands of previous path solutions. This AI-assisted control marks a significant advancement in space robotics, where limited onboard computing resources and stringent safety requirements have traditionally constrained autonomy. During the ISS experiment, the AI system operated autonomously for four hours with minimal astronaut intervention, under remote supervision. The researchers compared conventional “cold start” planning with the new AI-assisted “warm start” approach, finding that the latter reduced trajectory planning time by 50–60%, especially in complex, cluttered environments. Multiple safety measures ensured
roboticsautonomous-robotsAI-controlspace-roboticsNASAISS-technologymachine-learningAI takes control in orbit, speeds ISS flying robot tasks by 60%
Stanford researchers have successfully demonstrated the first machine-learning-based control system operating aboard the International Space Station (ISS), enabling the free-flying Astrobee robot to navigate the station’s complex interior 50 to 60% faster than traditional methods. The AI system uses a trained model to provide an informed initial guess ("warm start") for motion planning, which is then refined through optimization while maintaining strict safety constraints. This approach addresses the challenges posed by the ISS’s dense, cluttered environment and the limited computational resources available on space hardware. Tested initially on a microgravity-simulating platform at NASA Ames and then on the ISS itself, the AI-powered system allowed astronauts to step back from direct control, with commands issued remotely from NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The success of these tests has elevated the technology to NASA’s Technology Readiness Level 5, indicating operational viability in space. Researchers emphasize that such autonomy will be critical for future space missions, especially as robots operate farther from Earth and require minimal
roboticsspace-roboticsAI-controlautonomous-navigationInternational-Space-Stationmachine-learningrobotic-motion-planningHow 'laser vision' will support NASA’s 2027 lunar landing mission
The article discusses a critical challenge in NASA’s planned 2027 lunar landing mission near the Moon’s South Pole: navigating and landing safely in extremely dark, shadowed craters where traditional sensors like cameras, lidar, and radar fail. These craters contain valuable water ice for fuel and life support, but their permanent darkness makes precise landing difficult. To address this, an Australian company, Advanced Navigation, has developed a compact device called LUNA (Laser measurement Unit for Navigational Aid). LUNA provides spacecraft with precise, drift-free “laser vision” by using laser Doppler velocimetry to measure the spacecraft’s velocity relative to the lunar surface in real time, even in total darkness. This capability helps correct the drift errors inherent in inertial navigation systems, which typically accumulate over time and can cause hazardous landings. LUNA’s technology works by bouncing laser beams off the Moon’s surface and measuring the frequency shift of the returned signal to determine three-dimensional velocity without relying on environmental light or optical features
robotlaser-navigationlunar-landingautonomous-explorationspace-roboticsinertial-navigationAdvanced-NavigationRover hears first-ever 'mini-lightning' crackling across Mars
NASA’s Perseverance rover has made the first-ever detection of electrical discharges—described as “mini-lightning” or crackling sparks—on Mars, revealing that the planet’s dusty atmosphere is more electrically active than previously thought. Over 28 hours of microphone recordings spanning two Martian years, researchers identified 55 distinct electrical-discharge events linked to strong winds, dust devils, and storm fronts. These faint electrical zaps, caused by triboelectricity from shifting sand and dust, differ from Earth-style lightning but indicate frequent, subtle sparks occurring in Mars’ thin carbon dioxide atmosphere. This discovery, led by Baptiste Chide and colleagues, has significant implications for understanding Martian atmospheric chemistry, climate, and habitability. Electrostatic discharges could drive chemical reactions in the soil and atmosphere, potentially affecting surface chemistry and the preservation of organic molecules. Additionally, these electrical events may pose risks to future robotic and human missions. While the evidence currently relies on audio and electromagnetic signals without
robotMars-explorationPerseverance-rovertriboelectricityspace-roboticsplanetary-scienceatmospheric-electricityDesigning space robots: Harmonic Drive shares history, looks ahead
The article summarizes a special episode of The Robot Report Podcast featuring Harmonic Drive engineer Chris Finger, who discusses the company’s historic and ongoing contributions to space robotics. Harmonic Drive has played a critical role since the 1960s, providing precision drive systems for landmark missions such as Mariner 4 and the Apollo lunar rovers. Finger highlights the stringent reliability requirements for space robotics—often demanding 99.99% uptime—and the technical challenges posed by harsh conditions like extreme temperature fluctuations and vacuum environments. The discussion also covers how emerging space operators like SpaceX and Amazon are driving shifts toward more cost-effective satellite constellations, influencing design priorities. Harmonic Drive’s solutions offer advantages in material flexibility and configuration adaptability, making them well-suited for evolving space applications. Additionally, the episode touches on the expanding industrial ecosystem in space, including private sector ambitions for in-orbit manufacturing and resource utilization, underscoring the growing importance of robotics in future space exploration.
robotspace-roboticsHarmonic-Drivelunar-roversspace-explorationsatellite-constellationsin-orbit-manufacturingMars rovers serve as scientists’ eyes and ears from millions of miles away – here are the tools Perseverance used to spot a potential sign of ancient life - Robohub
The article discusses a significant update from NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover mission, highlighting the investigation of a distinctive rock outcrop called Bright Angel near Jezero Crater. This outcrop features light-toned rocks with mineral nodules and multicolored, leopard print-like patterns. By integrating data from five scientific instruments aboard Perseverance, scientists concluded that these nodules likely formed through processes that could have involved microorganisms. While this does not constitute direct evidence of past life, it represents a compelling discovery that warrants further study by planetary scientists. The article also explains how scientists interact with rover data, using advanced sensors and instruments as extensions of their own senses to build mental models of the Martian environment. Perseverance’s toolkit includes robotic arms for cleaning and abrading rock surfaces, 19 cameras for detailed imaging—including infrared and magnified views—and spectrometers like SuperCam and SHERLOC that analyze light spectra to detect water-related minerals and organic molecules. Additionally, the RIMFAX radar instrument
robotMars-roverPerseverancerobotic-sensorsplanetary-explorationmachine-learningspace-roboticsWind-driven tumbleweed rovers could roll up to 1,740 miles on Mars
European researchers have developed a novel concept for Mars exploration using wind-driven “Tumbleweed” rovers—lightweight, spherical robots up to five meters in diameter designed to be propelled across the Martian surface by winds. Inspired by natural tumbleweeds, these rovers carry scientific instruments within their cores and can traverse diverse terrains, including sand, pebbles, rough ground, and slopes equivalent to 30 degrees on Mars. Initial field tests with a 2.7-meter prototype in a Dutch quarry and wind tunnel experiments simulating Martian atmospheric conditions demonstrated that these rovers can maintain sensor functionality while rolling and can be mobilized by wind speeds typical on Mars. The experiments validated fluid dynamics models predicting rover movement and confirmed the feasibility of using swarms of these rovers for low-cost, wide-ranging planetary exploration. Data suggest a single Tumbleweed rover could travel approximately 262 miles in 100 Martian sols at an average speed of 0.22 mph, with potential maximum distances up
roboticsMars-explorationwind-powered-roversplanetary-roversautonomous-robotsspace-roboticsrobotic-sensorsUS Navy servicing robot spacecraft endures punishing space trial
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has successfully completed rigorous space-readiness testing of its Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) payload integrated with Northrop Grumman’s Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) spacecraft bus. This milestone, achieved after over two decades of development and supported by DARPA funding, involved subjecting the system to extreme thermal vacuum conditions that simulate the harsh environment of space. The RSGS-MRV system is designed to inspect, repair, upgrade, and perform orbital adjustments on satellites operating in geosynchronous orbit—approximately 22,000 miles above Earth—where traditional satellite servicing is currently impossible. Equipped with two robotic arms, advanced avionics, and a suite of cameras, sensors, and infrared imaging tools, the system can safely approach client satellites and execute complex tasks such as capture, inspection, and hardware upgrades. This technology aims to extend satellite lifespans, reduce costs, and enable new innovations by
roboticssatellite-servicingspace-roboticsUS-Navy-technologygeosynchronous-orbitrobotic-armsspace-technologyRendezvous Robotics exits stealth with $3M to build reconfigurable space infrastructure
Rendezvous Robotics, a company emerging from stealth mode with $3 million in pre-seed funding, aims to revolutionize space infrastructure by overcoming the traditional constraints imposed by rocket fairings on hardware size and assembly. Founded by Ariel Ekblaw, Phil Frank, and Joe Landon, the company is developing “tesserae,” modular, flat-packed tiles that can autonomously assemble, reconfigure, and scale space structures in orbit using magnetic docking and swarm robotics. Each tile is equipped with its own processor, sensors, and battery, designed for low-cost mass manufacturing. This technology promises to enable larger, more adaptable space structures such as antennas and solar arrays, which are critical for advanced communications and national security missions. The company has already demonstrated its tile prototypes on Blue Origin’s New Shepard and aboard the International Space Station (ISS), validating autonomous docking and reconfiguration capabilities. Rendezvous Robotics plans to conduct further demonstrations on the ISS in early 2026 and subsequently deploy a mission outside the ISS
robotspace-roboticsmodular-roboticsautonomous-assemblyspace-infrastructureelectromagnetic-dockingsatellite-technologyMadrid’s Orbital Paradigm aims to prove a cheaper path to orbital reentry
Madrid-based startup Orbital Paradigm, founded by aerospace veteran Francesco Cacciatore and Víctor Gómez García, is developing a low-cost reusable reentry capsule aimed at enabling frequent orbital return missions. After initially focusing on in-space robotics, the company pivoted to building a minimal test capsule called KID—a 25-kilogram, 16-inch-wide vehicle without propulsion—designed to demonstrate survival through hypersonic reentry and data transmission from orbit. With under €1 million spent and a nine-person team, Orbital Paradigm plans to launch KID within months, carrying payloads for customers including French startup Alatyr and Germany’s Leibniz University Hannover. The capsule will not be recovered but aims to prove key reentry technologies at a fraction of the cost of larger systems like SpaceX’s Dragon. Orbital Paradigm targets markets that require repeated orbital flights, such as biotech companies developing materials and therapies in microgravity, which often need multiple tests per year. Unlike larger spacecraft
robotspace-technologyaerospaceorbital-reentryreusable-capsulemicrogravity-materialsspace-roboticsRobots explore lunar caves using advanced autonomous descent system
Scientists have successfully tested autonomous robots exploring lava tubes in a volcanic cave on Lanzarote, chosen for its similarity to underground structures on Mars and the moon. These natural lava tubes, formed by flowing lava that leaves hollow tunnels, are considered promising sites for future extraterrestrial exploration because they could shield astronauts from extreme temperatures, radiation, and meteorite impacts, as well as potentially harbor microbial life. The 21-day field trials involved two rovers collaboratively mapping the cave entrance, deploying a sensor-laden cube to create a 3D model, and performing a coordinated descent into the cave, with the smaller rover detaching to travel 235 meters while building a 3D map of the tunnel. The experiments demonstrated the feasibility of robotic cooperation and 3D mapping in dark, confined environments, though challenges remain. Moisture affected ground-penetrating radar accuracy, some sensors experienced interference, and autonomous navigation without human intervention still requires more advanced algorithms and reliable inter-robot communication. Despite these hurdles, the
robotsautonomous-robotslunar-explorationcave-mappingspace-roboticsautonomous-navigationextraterrestrial-explorationRobot Team To Tunnel Deep Into Mars
The article discusses a team of three specialized robots engineered to explore and navigate lava tubes, both on Earth and extraterrestrial environments such as Mars. These robots are designed with complementary capabilities that enable them to work together effectively in challenging subterranean conditions. Their combined skills allow them to survey, enter, and traverse lava tubes, which are considered promising sites for scientific exploration due to their potential to harbor signs of past or present life and to offer protection from harsh surface conditions. The key takeaway is that this robotic team represents a significant advancement in planetary exploration technology, particularly for missions targeting subsurface environments on Mars. By leveraging their unique abilities, these robots can perform detailed mapping and analysis of lava tubes, which could provide critical insights into Mars' geology and habitability. The article highlights the importance of such robotic systems in expanding our understanding of other planets while overcoming the limitations faced by human explorers in extreme environments.
robotMars-explorationplanetary-roboticsautonomous-robotsspace-roboticslava-tube-explorationrobotic-surveyorsAugust 2025 issue: Motion control enables robots from the ISS to the AGT stage - The Robot Report
The August 2025 issue of The Robot Report highlights the critical role of motion control technologies in advancing robotics applications both in space and on Earth. A key feature explores PickNik Inc.’s collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to develop a multi-arm robotic system designed for complex manipulation tasks in microgravity. This innovation aims to enhance cargo handling capabilities aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and support future crewed and uncrewed space missions. PickNik’s MoveIt Pro software, integral to this project, also finds applications in terrestrial governmental and commercial robotics. Additionally, the issue covers Boston Dynamics’ efforts to showcase its Spot quadruped robot on NBC’s America’s Got Talent (AGT). The performance combined teleoperated and autonomous control with precise choreography, demonstrating both the technical prowess of the engineering team and the expanding commercial and industrial potential of robotics. The company also turned an on-air malfunction into a memorable moment, highlighting the human side of robotic innovation. The issue
robotmotion-controlroboticsspace-roboticsBoston-Dynamicsautonomous-robotsrobotic-manipulationIn a first, astronaut remotely commands Mars robot from space
The article reports a historic milestone in space exploration where NASA astronaut Jonny Kim remotely commanded a team of robots on Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the German Aerospace Center’s (DLR) Surface Avatar experiment. Conducted at DLR’s ‘Earthly Mars’ site in Oberpfaffenhofen, the experiment involved navigating a simulated Martian landscape, collecting samples, and demonstrating advanced human-robot collaboration. The robotic team included DLR’s humanoid Rollin' Justin, ESA’s Interact rover, DLR’s four-legged robot Bert, and ESA’s four-legged robot Spot, which worked together to explore terrain and complete tasks efficiently within two and a half hours. Notably, the experiment featured a simulated failure scenario where Bert’s leg malfunctioned, and Kim used reinforcement learning to help the robot adapt a three-legged gait, showcasing problem-solving and teamwork. A significant innovation in the experiment was the integration of Neal AI, an AI chatbot assistant developed by DLR based
robotspace-roboticsremote-robot-controlMars-explorationAI-assistantrobotic-teamworkhumanoid-robotsJAXA tests PickNik's MoveIt Pro software in multi-armed robotic system for the ISS - The Robot Report
PickNik Robotics partnered with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to test MoveIt Pro software as the planning and control backbone for JAXA’s multi-armed robotic system under the Payload Organization and Transportation Robotic System (PORTRS) initiative. The goal was to demonstrate a complex robotic system capable of performing manipulation tasks in microgravity aboard the International Space Station (ISS), such as crawling, payload swapping, and handling flexible cargo transfer bags. These tasks, often routine maintenance or cargo handling, are time-consuming for astronauts whose time is extremely costly—up to $200,000 per hour—highlighting the significant return on investment in robotic assistance to augment astronauts and free them for higher-value activities. JAXA’s robot features four arms and a reconfigurable base that can stabilize itself by grabbing onto surfaces like ISS rails, enabling it to crawl like a spider in zero gravity. Unlike terrestrial robots, which account for gravity in their control systems, the zero-gravity environment required Pick
roboticsspace-roboticsJAXAMoveIt-Promulti-armed-robotISS-automationrobotic-manipulation