Adorable Robot Camera Sent to International Space Station by Japan’s Space Agency
Japan’s Space Exploration Agency (JAXA) sent a cute robot camera named “Int-Ball” to the International Space Station (ISS). The purpose of the Int-Ball is to facilitate scientific and research activities in space.
Int-Ball is a 3D printed robot that moves autonomously around in space and can capture both moving and still imagery. The drone provides real-time monitoring for “flight controllers and researchers on the ground,” according to JAXA, and the media it gathers can also be fed back to ISS crew.
The unique design of the Int-Ball is enabled by the zero-G environment in which it operates. It aims to be able to move around “anywhere at any time via autonomous flight and record images from any angle,” says Japan’s space agency. Int-Ball is expected to help the onboard ISS crew by reducing the time they spend taking photography and capturing video themselves. JAXA estimates that this currently accounts for about 10 percent of ISS crew time.
Int-Ball contains actuators, rotational and acceleration sensors, and electromagnetic brakes to help it orient in space. JAXA is exploring this technology for other applications, including satellites. Following initial verification, which is underway now, the mission on the ISS includes improving Int-Ball’s performance and seeking ways to help it better operate – with experiments both inside and outside space-borne vehicles.
