Seattle startup Orbital Robotics is preparing to send autonomous robotic arms to the International Space Station. The arms will be fitted to NASA’s free-flying Astrobee robots aboard the station.

The mission will demonstrate capturing and servicing satellites in orbit. “This demo will prove our ability to capture, manipulate and upgrade satellites on orbit, moving humanity one massive step forward towards reusable satellites,” CEO Aaron Borger said.

Borger told GeekWire the company plans to send its arms to the station in the third quarter of 2027. Three separate demonstrations would be conducted, each about a month apart.

The arms are controlled by artificial intelligence. The mission will be the company’s first chance to prove its capture technology and autonomous control software together in microgravity under real spaceflight conditions.

Orbital Robotics was founded in 2024 by Borger and veterans of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture. The mission marks a major milestone for the young company.