NASA is advancing its Astrobee mission through a strategic partnership with Arkisys, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, California. Under a Space Act Agreement, Arkisys has been awarded a reimbursable contract to sustain the Astrobee robotic platform aboard the International Space Station (ISS). These robots are expected to play a key role in future missions to the Moon and Mars by handling routine maintenance and spacecraft support, reducing the need for continuous human involvement.
Arkisys was selected earlier this year following NASA’s call for partnership proposals. The collaboration ensures that the Astrobee robots remain operational while enabling researchers to test new technologies in the ISS’s microgravity environment. By supporting system monitoring and enhancing alert capabilities, the partnership also increases the mission’s value for both industry and academic research.
First sent to the ISS in 2018, the Astrobee robots—three cube-shaped units named Bumble, Honey, and Queen—assist astronauts by monitoring spacecraft systems, performing safety checks, and conducting experiments. The system includes the robots, supporting software, and a docking station for recharging. Their operations provide insights into how autonomous robots can improve efficiency in space missions.
NASA views this collaboration as a step toward developing robotic technologies capable of supporting longer missions and maintaining spacecraft functionality far from Earth. The ISS, which has hosted human presence in low Earth orbit for nearly 25 years, continues to serve as a platform for innovation, laying the groundwork for future lunar and Martian exploration.
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