The astrobee replaced a free-flying robot on the ISS that served since 2006 that was known as SPHERES. This expands to Synchronized Position Hold Engage Reorient Experimental Satellite. SPHERES was originally designed to manage and collect data of activities going on in the ISS using algorithms and environmental monitoring surveys. SPHERES was replaced due to multiple limitations in the ISS. Some of these disadvantages include its operation within only one ISS module and movement between a 2 by 2 by 2 cubic meter space. Furthermore, it used a digital signal processor, which wasn’t available for upgrading technologies or higher computational powers. Finally, it required manual intervention such as setup, breakdown, and battery charging. NASA’s astrobee was able to overcome most of the limitations that SPHERES faced.
By: Arnav Korgaonkar