Joy
A fan-propelled robot with two arms that floats inside a space station to move cargo bags and stow supplies, starting with a year-long test on the ISS planned for 2027.
Why it matters
Much astronaut time goes to logistics: Icarus says crews can spend 14 days unpacking and repacking cargo. Robots that handle routine work would free that time for science.
How the technology works
Fans push the robot through the cabin air in microgravity, and two arms with jaw grippers grab and move objects. Operators on the ground will fly it remotely at first, and the data collected will train more autonomous versions.
It completed a four-flight parabolic test campaign in Canada in 2026.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction