Beyond Earth: Astrobees and the Future of Space Technology

Astrobees, NASA’s trio of free-flying robots, have been a reality on the International Space Station (ISS) for several years now. These robots are designed to assist astronauts and conduct valuable research in space. 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.

One example is a project by engineering firm Bosch and aerospace company Astrobotic, who utilized the Astrobees to test smart microphone technology that can detect anomalies in spacecraft and equipment by analyzing sounds. Another project saw researchers from MIT and the German Space Agency using the robots to test algorithms and technology aimed at recovering tumbling satellites in space.

In addition to their role in scientific research, 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.

The Upward article “Free-Flying Robots in Space: How Real-Life Droids are Testing New Tech” delves deeper into the role of Astrobees on the ISS and their impact on research and technology development. 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.