The FFR mission aims to advance NASA’s In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing objectives. | Source: PickNik Robotics

An object: NASA Fly Foundational Robotics (FFR) Mission

*Objective:* Development of autonomous robotic assembly and maintenance in orbit (ISAM)
Crew (ground): Motiv Space Systems (hardware), PickNik Robotics (software), Astro Digital (platform)
On-board computer: Space ROS — a special version of the Robot Operating System for space
Status: Preparation for launch into a low reference orbit

ENTRY 1: PROBLEM STATEMENT

Earth, the control center. On the table is a contract between Motiv and PickNik. The task: to create intelligence for a robotic arm that will work in space autonomously, with minimal human involvement and with communication delays.

Previously, space robots moved only on commands from Earth, frame by frame. Now they have to plan the trajectories themselves, avoid obstacles and perform operations while the operator looks at the digital twin and only controls the process.

A key tool: MOVEit Pro is a commercial motion planning platform adapted to the harsh space constraints of computing power and radiation.

RECORD 2: SPECIAL MODE — SPACE ROS

The usual ROS, which is used to write algorithms for ground robots, will not survive in space. We need a special version — Space ROS. This is an Open Source Robotics Foundation (OSRF) project where NASA, PickNik and others are investing their efforts to create an open standard for space robotics.

What does it give?

• A single platform for all future missions, from satellites to lunar bases.
• The ability to simulate the robot's behavior down to the smallest detail on the Ground.
• Resistance to failures and reboots in radiation conditions.

PickNik is responsible for ensuring that their software works correctly in this environment and can control the hardware from Motiv.

RECORD 3: DIGITAL DOUBLE AND TRAINING ON EARTH

Before the launch, everything will be repeatedly tested on the Ground. PickNik creates an operator's ground terminal based on MOVEit Pro. Through it, engineers will be able to:

• Plot routes in the simulator, taking into account microgravity and inertia.
• Play scenarios on an exact replica of the robot (hardware layout).
• Load ready-made "behavioral blocks" on board.

After launch, management will be based on the principle of "high—level command - autonomous execution". For example: "intercept object A and move it to point B." The robot will calculate a safe trajectory by itself, avoid collisions and report the result.

ENTRY 4: LEGACY OF PAST MISSIONS

Both companies have space experience, which formed the basis of this project.

Motiv Space Systems has already created COLDArm, an arm capable of operating at temperatures up to -173°C without heating. This saves up to 30% of the energy budget of the Moon mission. Cold-resistance and reliability technologies will also be useful in low orbit.

PickNik Robotics worked with the Japanese space agency JAXA on the PORTRS project for the ISS in 2025. Then they worked out scenarios with multi-armed systems in microgravity: intercepting cargo, shifting soft containers, moving the robot along the outer surface of the station.

ENTRY 5: WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? ISAM ECONOMICS

FFR's mission is not just an experiment. This is the first step towards creating an Orbital Maintenance Market (ISAM). Imagine a future where satellites are not discarded, but refueled and repaired right in orbit. Where the assembly shops work on the moon. Where telescopes are already assembled in space from modules.

This requires robots that can think and act independently. And standardized software that can be installed on any platform as an operating system.

This is where the logic of managing distributed autonomous systems converges with the logic of ground-based solutions such asJOBTOROB.com . Only instead of warehouses and factories there is outer space, and instead of loaders there are manipulators with six degrees of freedom. But the principle is the same: give robots a "job" and make sure they do it**.

ENTRY 6: WHAT'S NEXT?

FFR is expected to be launched in the coming years. After working out the basic movements, experiments will begin on the assembly of structures, the docking of modules, and the maintenance of satellites. Every successful step brings us closer to a world where space infrastructure is built, lives and develops without constant human intervention.

In the meantime, PickNik and Motiv engineers are writing code that will become the standard for future generations of space robots.