Since November 2000, NASA and its partners have been supporting humans living and working in space aboard the International Space Station. After 25 years in orbit, the station continues to serve as a testing ground for technology crucial to NASA’s Artemis campaign, upcoming lunar missions, and the eventual human exploration of Mars.
One significant advancement made possible by research aboard the space station is the integration of robots into daily operations. From the Canadian-built Canadarm2, which played a key role in assembling the station and continues to support ongoing tasks like spacewalks, to free-flying assistants and humanoid robots that enhance crew capabilities, robotics has revolutionized space exploration. For example, the SPHERES robots, which arrived in 2003, supported various tasks such as environmental monitoring, data collection, and materials testing in microgravity. These innovative robotic technologies have not only extended the reach of crew members but also paved the way for new avenues of exploration.
Original Source: NASA – 25 Years of Space Station Technology Driving Exploration