The Astrobee is a Research robot developed by NASA (United States), launched 2019.
RoboScore
Speculative — thin evidence
No confirmed deployment on record — this score reflects the rest of the record, not verified adoption.
4 of 9 signals present
Recomputed nightly from public data. Missing data is skipped, never zero-filled — and rankings are never for sale.
Weighted factors
average of the 4 scored · blanks don't count
Not in the Research standing. The standings cover robots first sold from 2020 onward, and this one launched in 2019. Its Robo Score above is unaffected — the score is the evidence, the standing is only who it is listed against.
See the Research standingWill it fit your job?
Tell us the job in plain words — we'll show how this robot measures up, line by line.
Tell us what your job needs — payload, budget, region, must-have certifications — and we'll show how Astrobee measures up, requirement by requirement. The RoboScore (trust) above is shown for every buyer, regardless.
Overview
Astrobee is a free flying robot designed to work on the International Space Station. It can navigate around the ISS autonomously and perform useful tasks for astronauts. Equipped with an electrically-powered propulsion system using two counter-rotating impellers that generate thrust through 12 steerable nozzles, Astrobee can move or rotate in any direction in microgravity. The robot features a perching arm for gripping handrails, modular bays for guest scientist payloads, and multiple sensors including NavCam, DockCam, PerchCam, HazCam, SciCam, and SpeedCam.
Flagship features
- Designed to reduce routine tasks for astronauts on the ISS
- Comprises three modular robots: Bumble, Honey, and Queen
- Equipped with a perching arm for energy conservation and transport
- Built on the lessons learned from the SPHERES robots
- Notable milestone: first independent operation of multiple robots on April 7, 2022
- Partnered with Arkisys, Inc. for platform maintenance and support
Buyer decision signals
Viability
Two Astrobees operated independently on ISS
Price
Published figures are build cost or program budget, not a purchase price
Availability
Specifications
Category: Research- Weight
- 6 kg
- Autonomy
- fully autonomous
- Launch year
- 2019
- Price
- Research platform
- Status
- active
Published figures are build cost or program budget, not a purchase price
Company profile
- Founded
- 1958
Detailed specifications
What it is built for3
- Applications
- research
- Industries Served
- space exploration
- Deployment Environment
- indoor
Size & capacity1
- Height Mm
- 318
Movement & precision1
- Navigation Type
- vision
Sensing & perception4
- Camera Count
- 2
- Camera Types
- rgb,depth
- Sensor Suite
- cameras,sensors
- Camera Present
- Yes
Controls & integration1
- Programming Interface
- no code gui,teleoperation
Buying & support3
- Datasheet Url
- Preview PDF online
- Model Variants
- Bumble,Honey,Queen
- Availability Status
- available
Other details1
- Teleoperation Supported
- Yes
Who runs it· deployment evidence
No deployment evidence on file
A deployment is recorded when a public source names the customer, or the maker confirms it. Nothing here counts against this robot.
7 other robots in this category have one.
Add a deployment →Company milestones
- Apr 2022DeploymentTwo Astrobees operated independently on ISS
- Apr 2022DeploymentTwo Astrobees worked independently in separate ISS modules
- Apr 2022DeploymentQueen and Bumble work independently in ISS modules
- Apr 2022DeploymentAstrobee robots achieved an in-space first
- Nov 2019DeploymentHoney deployed on the ISS
- Jul 2019DeploymentQueen launched to the ISS
- Jul 2019DeploymentThird Astrobee robot launched
- Jun 2019DeploymentBumble first free flight in space
Compare with peers
NASA in the news
the maker4 events · last 12 months
NASA launches robot to rescue aging Swift telescope from fiery demise
NASA in the news
the maker4 events · last 12 months
News about NASA, the maker — not about this robot specifically, except rows marked this robot. Collected and classified independently across 12 outlets, so a maker cannot add to it. It never changes this robot's RoboScore — the evidence half of the RoboIndex — and it can move it up a board by at most 15 points. See all NASA news
Frequently asked questions
- Who makes the Astrobee?
- The Astrobee is developed by NASA, based in United States.
- What type of robot is the Astrobee?
- The Astrobee is a Research robot made by NASA.
- How much does the Astrobee cost?
- Pricing for the Astrobee is not publicly listed — contact NASA for a quote.
- When was the Astrobee launched?
- The Astrobee was launched in 2019.
Reviews for Astrobee
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