NASA and industry partners will fly and control a commercial robotic arm in low Earth orbit as part of the Fly Foundational Robots mission, scheduled to launch in late 2027. This mission aims to revolutionize space operations, a critical potential for sustainable living and working on other planets. By providing a demonstration of this technology, NASA is advancing the space robotics industry, unlocking valuable tools for future scientific discoveries and exploration missions.
“Today this is a demonstration of a robotic arm, but one day these same technologies could be used to assemble solar panels, refuel satellites, build lunar habitats, or manufacture products that benefit life on Earth,” said Bo Naas, senior technical manager for the Space Services, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) division in the Space Technology Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “This is how we will build a dominant space economy and a sustainable human presence on the Moon and Mars.”
The Fly Foundational Robots (FFR) mission will use a robotic arm from small business Motiv Space Systems capable of dexterous manipulation, use of autonomous tools, and navigation of spacecraft structures in zero-gravity or partial gravity conditions. This mission could allow spacecraft to be repaired and refueled, space habitats and infrastructure to be built, life support systems to be maintained on lunar and Martian surfaces, and to serve as robotic assistants to astronauts during extended missions. The development of robotic systems in space can also improve our understanding of similar technologies on Earth in a variety of industries, including construction, medicine and transportation.
To demonstrate a commercial FFR robotic arm in space, NASA's Space Technology Directorate contracts with Astro Digital to conduct orbital testing through the agency's system. Flight Opportunities Program.
Invited roboticists will have the opportunity to contribute to FFR's mission, and participation will allow them to use Motiv's robotic platform as a test bed and perform unique tasks. NASA will be the first operator invited and is currently seeking other interested US partners to participate.
The future of space robotics depends on testing robotic operations in space before launching more complex and extensive servicing and refueling missions. With FFR, demonstrating Motiv's robotic arm in space will open the door to endless possibilities.
NASA's Fly Foundational robotic demonstration is funded through the NASA Space Technology Directorate's ISAM portfolio and managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Pasadena, Calif.-based Motiv Space Systems will supply a robotic arm system for the mission as part of a NASA Small Business Innovation Research Phase III grant. Littleton, Colorado-based Astro Digital will flight test the Motiv robotic payload as part of NASA's Flight Capabilities program, managed by NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.
Find out more about Space servicing, assembly and manufacturing at NASA.
Colleen Wouters
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland.
