NASA’s First Astrobee Robot “Bumble” Starts Flying in Space

On June 14, a robot named Bumble became the first Astrobee robot to fly under its own power in space. Astrobee is a free-flying robot system that will help researchers test new technologies in zero gravity and perform routine work alongside astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Bumble and a second Astrobee, 'Honey,' launched to the space station in April. A third robot named 'Queen' is scheduled to launch in July.

Robots that can operate on their own in space, such as Astrobee, can be caretakers for NASA's lunar gateway and will play a significant part in NASA's future missions to explore the Moon and Mars.

Before Bumble's first solo flight, the Astrobee team at NASA's Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley verified that Bumble can find its position and was ready to navigate within the space station.