The realm of space robotics has made significant strides in a brief period. In the past five years, NASA dispatched its robotic system, Astrobees, to the International Space Station (ISS) to aid astronauts in maintenance and repairs. However, the industry has undergone a surge in innovation and capital investment, positioning it for further expansion. According to Technology Foresights, an innovation intelligence platform by GlobalData, over 40 companies have entered the space robotics sector in the last three years, attracting over $200 million in venture capital.
Space robotics revolves around the design and production of robots capable of functioning in the demanding environment of outer space. These robots play pivotal roles in various space exploration missions, including spacecraft examination, satellite maintenance, component assembly, spacecraft refuelling, and space debris collection. Each of these applications represents a significant advancement for the sustainability and progress of space missions.
The sector has exhibited one of the highest growth rates in innovation activity over the past year, with China at the forefront, accounting for 58% of all patent applications in this field. Sourabh Nyalkalkar, Practice Head of Innovation Products at GlobalData, observes that while innovation in space technologies has traditionally been dominated by large, publicly funded space agencies, the emergence of IoT and robotics technology, together with the support from venture capital and specialised large private organisations, is propelling the rise of innovative technologies like space robotics.
At the forefront of space innovation is Canada-based MDA Ltd., which boasts extensive experience in over 450 space missions. The company recently introduced Skymaker, a modular robotic solution adaptable for various missions, including lunar surface landings and orbital exploration. Airbus has also made significant progress by deploying robotic arms through its OneSat satellites in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA).
In addition, space agencies are increasingly utilising robots for diverse missions. JAXA, the Japanese space agency, successfully landed its lunar robot, SORA-Q, as part of the ‘Moon Sniper’ mission in January 2024. Meanwhile, NASA is developing a project that utilises fully autonomous robots to construct shelters and solar arrays on the surfaces of the Moon and Mars.
Nyalkalkar further notes that the rise of new entrants in space robotics, such as China-based Aerospace New Long March EV Technology, Gitai, and Astrobotics, is propelling the focus towards more advanced applications of space robotics. The growing confidence in this technology is evident in the performance of Japanese startup Aeroscale, which specialises in clearing space debris. Their share prices soared by 51% in the first week of June 2024, indicating a transformative shift led by robotics in space technology.
Undoubtedly, the future of space robotics is both exciting and promising. With numerous innovative companies and space agencies investing in this field, the once far-fetched ideas of sci-fi movies are now well on their way to becoming reality.