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AI in orbit: Rice University to host workshop exploring future of intelligent systems in space

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Leaders from government, academia and industry will gather in Houston next month for Rice University’s In-Space Physical AI Workshop at Ion, a two-day event examining how autonomous technologies could shape the next era of space exploration and discovery.

The workshop will take place February 11-12, 2026 at The Ion, located at 4201 Main Street, Houston, Texas, and will focus on the convergence of artificial intelligence and space technology – particularly how physical AI systems can enable long-duration, autonomous operations beyond Earth. [Read more…] about AI in orbit: Rice University to host workshop exploring future of intelligent systems in space

NASA awards $30 million to Katalyst Space Technologies to rescue $500 million satellite

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Up in the quiet darkness of low Earth orbit, a satellite known as the “Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory” is fighting a losing battle. Launched in 2004 to chase down the universe’s most violent fireworks – gamma-ray bursts – Swift has faithfully delivered two decades of science.

But now, with its orbit eroding under the subtle drag of Earth’s upper atmosphere, the spacecraft may not survive until its intended twilight. So, NASA has turned to a bold new approach: rescuing a satellite that was never built to be rescued.

However, something has to be done, according to people overseeing the project. Swift is described as “a $500 million space telescope” which is currently at risk of uncontrolled deorbit by late 2026, so the $30 million NASA is spending to rescue it not only seems reasonable, it’s also forward-thinking because new technologies and techniques may emerge for saving other defunct satellites that float around the Earth as debris could either be fixed or disposed of safely.

Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director, Astrophysics Division, NASA headquarters in Washington, says: “Given how quickly Swift’s orbit is decaying, we are in a race against the clock, but by leveraging commercial technologies that are already in development, we are meeting this challenge head-on. [Read more…] about NASA awards $30 million to Katalyst Space Technologies to rescue $500 million satellite

NASA selects ​HEBI to develop construction robots for building on the moon

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HEBI Robotics has entered into a Non-Reimbursable Space Act Agreement with NASA’s Ames Research Center to support the development of autonomous robotic systems for assembling infrastructure on the lunar surface.

This collaboration is part of NASA’s Autonomous Robotic Assembly of Lunar Surface Infrastructure (ARC-LSI) Study, aiming to advance technologies for constructing adaptable structures in space.​

Building upon the Automated Reconfigurable Mission Adaptive Digital Assembly Systems (ARMADAS) project, the partnership focuses on creating modular habitats, satellites, and telescopes using autonomous multi-agent robotic systems. [Read more…] about NASA selects ​HEBI to develop construction robots for building on the moon

Space Robotics: Trends Shaping the Industry Today

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The market of space robots is booming, fueled by innovations in robotics, automation, and technologies aimed at exploring the cosmos. As investments in space missions keep growing, there is a need for autonomous systems that can handle complex tasks in challenging conditions.

Examples like satellite servicing, planetary exploration, and orbital debris removal highlight how space robotics is changing our interaction with the cosmos. Let’s explore the factors fueling the rapid evolution of space robotic systems. [Read more…] about Space Robotics: Trends Shaping the Industry Today

HEBI Robotics awarded $150,000 grant by NASA

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HEBI Robotics, creator of a robot development platform that makes it possible to quickly design and create robust robots, has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant by NASA to develop smart robotic actuation hardware and building blocks that are compatible with the HEBI Platform for robot development, and suitable for use in missions to space.

Bob Raida, CEO of HEBI Robotics, says: “For 10 years, HEBI has been working to streamline the process of developing robots. Customers around the world use our system to create robust robots that would have been infeasible without the HEBI Platform.

“Many of those users are designing systems that will ultimately be deployed in space. This project will make it possible for those users to design and build robots in their lab with the HEBI Platform, knowing that work will carry through to the final production design and system.” [Read more…] about HEBI Robotics awarded $150,000 grant by NASA

NASA boosts GoAERO’s mission with Space Act Agreement and university innovation project funding

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GoAERO says its Space Act Agreement with NASA codifies and expands its partnership and marks a “significant leap forward” in its mission to revolutionize emergency response aviation.

In addition, NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) has committed additional funding through its University Innovation Project, specifically targeting US-based university teams participating in the GoAERO Prize competition.

This collaboration, announced at the recent International Council of Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS) conference, underscores NASA’s dedication to fostering innovation in aviation and emergency response technologies. [Read more…] about NASA boosts GoAERO’s mission with Space Act Agreement and university innovation project funding

Space robotics poised to see ‘explosive growth’, says new report

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Five years ago, NASA launched a mission straight out of a sci-fi blockbuster by deploying its robotic system, Astrobees, on the International Space Station (ISS) to assist astronauts with repair and maintenance.

Fast forward to today, and space robotics has taken a giant leap forward, becoming a hotbed of innovation and investment. This burgeoning field is now at a pivotal moment, poised for explosive growth.

The past three years have seen over 40 pioneering companies enter the space robotics arena, attracting more than $200 million in venture capital, according to Technology Foresights, an innovation intelligence platform by GlobalData, a research, data and analytics company. [Read more…] about Space robotics poised to see ‘explosive growth’, says new report

CMU scientists contribute to NASA’s autonomous robot snake

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Carnegie Mellon University researchers teamed up with scientists at NASA to develop a robot capable of searching underwater oceans on distant planets for signs of life. (See video below.)

NASA’s Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) is a self-propelled, autonomous, snake-like robot inspired by a desire to one day look for signs of life in the vast ocean beneath the icy crust of Saturn’s Enceladus moon.

The robot can autonomously navigate extreme terrain, enabling it to traverse not only ice but also sand, rocks, cliff walls, deep craters, underground lava tubes and glaciers. [Read more…] about CMU scientists contribute to NASA’s autonomous robot snake

PickNik Robotics secures two new NASA contracts

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PickNik Robotics, a leading provider of advanced robotic solutions, is pleased to announce its success in securing two Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts with NASA.

These prestigious contracts highlight PickNik Robotics’ continued expertise in developing cutting-edge technologies for autonomous robotic manipulation, utilization, and maintenance, as well as integrated mission planning and execution for space operations.

The first SBIR award focuses on a groundbreaking project titled “A Framework for Failure Management and Recovery for Remote Autonomous Task Planning and Execution”. [Read more…] about PickNik Robotics secures two new NASA contracts

Nasa awards AeroVironment $10 million contract to design helicopters for Mars mission

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The success of Ingenuity Mars helicopter, co-designed and co-developed by AeroVironment and NASA/JPL, lays the foundation for the development of the Sample Recovery Helicopters

AeroVironment has been awarded a $10 million contract by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to co-design and co-develop conceptual designs and engineering development units of Mars Sample Recovery Helicopter flight systems.

Future efforts could include detailed design, build, and test of qualification and flight hardware. The helicopters build upon the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter design heritage and feature upgraded robotics to supplement aerial mobility.

AeroVironment engineers from the MacCready Works team previously worked with NASA JPL to co-design and develop the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which has completed 52 successful flights to date on Mars and survived 781 sols on the surface, far outperforming its design objectives. [Read more…] about Nasa awards AeroVironment $10 million contract to design helicopters for Mars mission