Int-Ball
[research]space · food-service · 1 deployments in catalog
Manufacturer
Japan Aerospace Exploration AgencyForm Factor
space
Lifecycle
research
Operational Reality
Audited
Deployments
1
Target Price
Custom Quote
- RESEARCH
Description
JAXA JEM Internal Ball Camera: a free-flying, self-propelled spherical camera drone inside the ISS Japanese Experiment Module, controlled by JAXA ground operators to record crew operations (offloading photo/video chores from astronauts). Autonomous free-flight and station-keeping; tasking is ground-directed. Int-Ball 1 launched 2017-06-03; Int-Ball2 (2023-06-06) adds a stereo camera, IMU and autonomous docking.
Key facts & specs
- website
- https://iss.jaxa.jp/en/kiboexp/news/170714_int_ball_en.html
- maturity
- research
- lifecycle
- active
- form factor
- space
- manufacturer
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
- deployments count
- 1
- Maturity stage
- research
- Role
- ISS internal free-flying camera
- Autonomy
- autonomous free-flight/station-keeping; ground-directed tasking
- Launched
- 2017-06-03
- Focus
- Japan's national space agency
- Robot
- Developer of the Int-Ball free-flying ISS camera drones
- Product
- Int-Ball free-flying ISS camera drone
- Research areas
- lunar robotics, satellite servicing, debris removal
Safety record
1 incident on record (1 moderate). Most recent: Oct 2023.
FAQ
What is Int-Ball?
JAXA JEM Internal Ball Camera: a free-flying, self-propelled spherical camera drone inside the ISS Japanese Experiment Module, controlled by JAXA ground operators to record crew operations (offloading photo/video chores from astronauts). Autonomous free-flight and station-keeping; tasking is ground-directed. Int-Ball 1 launched 2017-06-03; Int-Ball2 (2023-06-06) adds a stereo camera, IMU and autonomous docking.
Is Int-Ball actually deployed in the real world?
Yes. Int-Ball is independently verified in real-world operation on the DEPLOY registry, confirmed at named deployment sites with primary sources: not a concept, render, or demo-only.
Who makes Int-Ball?
Int-Ball is made by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, based in Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan, founded in 2003.
Where is Int-Ball deployed?
1 verified deployment of Int-Ball is on the DEPLOY registry, including at International Space Station.
Can you buy Int-Ball?
Int-Ball is at research stage and is not yet available for sale.
What are alternatives to Int-Ball?
On the DEPLOY registry, comparable space robots to Int-Ball include Chang'e Lander, Mira, W-Series Capsule, spacevan.
How does Int-Ball compare to Chang'e Lander?
Int-Ball and Chang'e Lander (China National Space Administration · 4 deployments) are both space robots on the DEPLOY registry. Int-Ball has 1 verified deployment on record. Compare both records for specs, safety, deployments, and verified-vs-claimed autonomy.
Is Int-Ball a top space?
On DEPLOY's intelligence score, which blends verified deployments, safety, adoption, media, and IP signals, Int-Ball ranks in roughly the top 62% of space models tracked by the registry.
What is Int-Ball's maturity stage?
Int-Ball is at the research stage on the DEPLOY maturity ladder (research, prototype, pilot, commercial, production). Research stage means active development without commercial deployments on file.
Is Int-Ball safe?
Int-Ball has 1 active incident on record in the DEPLOY registry. 1 incident on record (1 moderate). Most recent: Oct 2023. Retracted incidents are excluded from this count.