NASA Initiates Robotic Arm Challenge for Space Researchers
The Fly Foundational Robots (FFR) initiative is set to launch a robotic arm with seven degrees of freedom into low Earth orbit. NASA is providing access to a select group of U.S. researchers – including principal investigators, post-doctoral scholars, professors, and graduate students – who propose compelling experiments and demonstrate the skills needed to execute them. Candidates must complete eligibility registration by the specified deadline, after which they gain access to the Phase 1 submission portal. Initial Phase 0 focuses on registration with submission documentation required. Those who advance to Phase 1 submit a focused white paper by a set date; final progression to simulation and validation tests involves site visits at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Teams passing validation will receive opportunities for on-orbit experimentation on the FFR Mission. The competition aims to harness cutting-edge robotics for space exploration, with registration opens on May 20, 2026, and closing promptly on September 23.