Robot Demonstrates Advanced Gripping Technology in Space
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 10, 2025
A blue, tentacle-like gripping system attached to an Astrobee free-flying robot successfully latched onto a “capture cube” in a recent demonstration conducted on February 4, 2025. The experimental grippers autonomously identified and secured the target, showcasing potential applications for debris removal and satellite servicing in low Earth orbit.
Developed at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, the Astrobee system is designed to operate within the microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS). The system comprises three cube-shaped robots-Bumble, Honey, and Queen-along with associated software and a docking station…