NASA is testing new robot grippers that could one day remove space debris and help repair satellites in Earth’s orbit.
On February 4, 2025, NASA’s Astrobee robot successfully grabbed a floating “capture cube” using blue, tentacle-like arms inside the International Space Station (ISS).
This experiment shows how future robots might autonomously find and capture space junk, which poses a major threat to satellites and space missions.
What are Astrobee robots?
Astrobee is a free-flying robot system developed by NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley.
It includes three cube-shaped robots named Bumble, Honey, and Queen, plus a software system and a charging dock.
The robots move using electric fans, allowing them to float and navigate in the ISS’s microgravity environment. Equipped with cameras and sensors, they can see and map their surroundings. They also have a perching arm to grasp railings or hold objects.
Space debris is a growing problem, with thousands of old satellites, rocket parts, and fragments orbiting Earth. These objects can collide with active satellites or even threaten astronauts. If robots can autonomously grab and remove debris, space will become safer for future missions.
This experiment is a big step forward in developing robotic systems for space cleanup and satellite servicing. In the future, similar robots could capture and remove space junk, making Earth’s orbit cleaner and safer for everyone.
Source: NASA.
