Robotic Wonders in Space: How Astrobees are Advancing Technology and Inspiring the Future

Astrobees, NASA’s trio of free-flying robots, have been a reality on the International Space Station (ISS) for some time now. These robots assist astronauts and conduct valuable research, including investigations sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory®. In the latest issue of Upward, the official magazine of the ISS National Lab, researchers are highlighted for their use of these robots to test innovative new technology with applications for future spaceflight missions and on Earth.

For example, engineering firm Bosch partnered with aerospace company Astrobotic to utilize the Astrobees to test smart microphone technology that can detect anomalies in spacecraft and equipment by analyzing sounds. In another project, researchers from MIT and the German Space Agency used the robots to test algorithms and technology aimed at recovering tumbling satellites in space. The Astrobees are also being used to cultivate the future space industry workforce through MIT’s Zero Robotics competition. Students in grades 6-12 participate in coding challenges to control the free-flying robots on the space station, giving them exposure to astronauts and inspiring interest in science and engineering careers.

Upward magazine focuses on communicating the results of ISS National Lab-sponsored experiments that showcase the value of space-based research. The full Volume 7, Issue 1 of Upward is available for download, along with previous issues. This article “Free-Flying Robots in Space: How Real-Life Droids are Testing New Tech” delves deeper into how these amazing machines are making a difference on board ISS.