Microgravity Lab Assistant

New tools are needed to increase the pace of physical and biological science research while functioning within constraints of the International Space Station and placing minimal demands on astronauts’ time. The Microgravity Lab Assistant (MLA): A Compact Robot for Sample Preparation Onboard the ISS is a compact robot with basic manipulation and machine vision capabilities. The goal of MLA development is to increase the pace of physical and biological science research by supporting sample preparation on the International Space Station and future in-space facilities. The robot is capable of autonomous operation in an unstructured environment using its onboard machine vision, or it can be operated remotely with intuitive control facilitated by its innovative arm geometry. 

Problem Statement Aboard the International Space Station, operating volume is severely constrained, and astronaut time is invaluable, limiting the rate at which experiments can be performed. Furthermore, many tasks that are performed frequently in biological and physical laboratory practice can be performed by manipulators smaller than human hands. The situation calls for a compact means of automating biological and physical science experiments. The MLA robot aims to fulfill this need through its capability to perform sample preparation tasks such as liquid handling, powder transfer, and operating lab equipment. Its compactness allows operation within restricted spaces like gloveboxes, where larger robots can’t function. Its size and relatively low cost make it possible for the robot to operate in a homogeneous team with copies of itself or in heterogeneous teams assisting larger robots. Its vacuum compatibility provides extensibility to extravehicular environments.

Technology Maturation Parabolic flight tests are expected to help researchers demonstrate liquid acquisition and dispensing, quantify liquid measurement accuracy, and determine maximum pipette withdrawal speed without stray droplet production. The results of the flight tests will be used to optimize control of the MLA, while also having applicability to general efforts to automate fluid handling. Following the flight tests, the MLA is expected to support experiments by performing repetitive preparation in multi-well plates in cell and tissue research, sample acquisition and plant maintenance in botany, and operations with surface elements in physical sciences experiments on the Moon and Mars. The flight tests aim to advance this innovation’s technology readiness level (TRL) to TRL 6. 

Summary of Flight Tests 
May 8, 2025: Sierra Lobo’s Microgravity Lab Assistant demonstrated that it can automate pipette tip changes using its robot arm and specialized end effector. The microgravity experiments identified the conditions that produce reliable and sterile ejections of a pipette tip into a receptacle. Videos demoing these capabilities are being prepared for publication.

Oct-Nov 2024: Sierra Lobo’s Microgravity Lab Assistant demonstrated that it can accurately perform fluid transfer in a zero-gravity environment using its robot arm and specialized end effector. The zero-g experiments identified the conditions that eliminate stray droplet production during fluid transfer. Data on the droplet production dynamics that we observed is being prepared for publication.
 

- Research enabling: Automates sample preparation in microgravity Space and time saving: 
- Uses CubeSat heritage hardware to create a compact robot that can perform sample preparation tasks 

Future Customers
- Biological and physical space science researchers 
- Government and commercial in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM)

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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