Icarus raises $6.1M to use robots to supplement space labor - The Robot Report

Icarus Robotics, a New York-based startup, has raised $6.1 million in seed funding led by Soma Capital and Xtal to develop robotic solutions that address labor shortages and logistical challenges in space, particularly on the International Space Station (ISS). The company’s initial product is a free-flying robot equipped with dexterous arms designed to perform routine logistics tasks such as cargo unpacking, seal inspection, and filter changes—activities that currently consume significant astronaut time. CEO Ethan Barajas, who has NASA and lunar rover experience, highlights that astronaut labor is costly and limited, with much time dedicated to non-experimental activities, making automation of mundane tasks critical for efficient space operations. Icarus aims to start with semi-autonomous, teleoperated robots and progressively move toward fully autonomous systems. The company faces unique challenges in developing AI for space due to the scarcity of relevant robotics data and the complexities of operating in zero-gravity environments. Barajas notes that many of the logistical tasks astronauts