Bailey G. Light
Jun 02, 2026
NASA’s Fly Foundational Robots Mission: A New Frontier for Robotic Experimentation in Space
NASA is set to deploy a sophisticated robotic arm featuring seven degrees of freedom into low Earth orbit as part of the Fly Foundational Robots (FFR) mission. This cutting-edge technology will be made available exclusively to a select group of U.S.-based researchers-including principal investigators, postdoctoral fellows, university professors, and advanced graduate students-who present innovative experimental proposals and demonstrate the expertise necessary to carry them out.
How to Participate: Eligibility and Submission Process
Prospective participants must first complete an eligibility registration, providing all required documentation to comply with federal competition standards. Upon verification of eligibility, applicants will gain access to the Phase 1 submission portal to propose their experiments.
Phase 0: Eligibility Registration
Begin by submitting your eligibility materials. This initial step is mandatory and ensures compliance with federal guidelines. Registration will remain open until 12:59 p.m. ET (11:59 p.m. CT) on September 23, 2026.
Phase 1: White Paper Proposal
Applicants are invited to submit a concise white paper outlining a focused experiment utilizing the FFR robotic arm. From these submissions, up to 15 teams will be selected to advance to the next phase. The deadline for white paper submissions is 12:59 p.m. ET (11:59 p.m. CT) on October 2, 2026.
Phase 2: Simulation and Validation Testing
Teams invited to this stage will engage in rigorous simulation and validation exercises, including on-site visits to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. This phase ensures that proposed experiments are feasible and ready for deployment in the space environment.
Reward for Successful Teams
Teams that successfully complete the validation phase will be granted the opportunity to conduct their experiments on orbit aboard the FFR mission, providing invaluable data and advancing the field of space robotics.
Important Dates to Remember
- Registration Opens: May 20, 2026
- Registration Closes: September 23, 2026
- White Paper Submission Deadline: October 2, 2026
Additional Resources
For comprehensive details and updates on the Fly Foundational Robots challenge, visit https://spaceroboticistchallenge.com/.
