Honeybee Robotics
Honeybee Robotics, Ltd is an American spacecraft, technology and robotics company headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, with facilities in Altadena, California and Longmont, Colorado.[1] Honeybee Robotics creates Exploration Systems, Infrastructure Systems and motion control software.
| Founded | 1983  |
|---|---|
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | , United States of America |
Number of locations | 3 Locations (2 Facilities & 1 Field office) |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Kiel Davis (CEO) |
| Revenue | $75,000,000 USD |
| Parent | Blue Origin |
In 2022, Honeybee Robotics sent the Phobos Mining System to the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and has also partnered with NASA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to study the Martian moons, Phobos and Deimos.[2]
History
Honeybee robotics was founded in 1983 by Steve Gorevan and Chris Chapman as a systems integrator using off-the-shelf robots. Honeybee Robotics first offices were above a piano shop on the Lower East Side of New York City. Their early work included robotic arms, robot end-effectors, and smart task-oriented electromechanical systems for companies including IBM, Allied Signal, The Salk Institute, Merck, 3M, and Con Edison.
Honeybee Robotics received its first NASA contract in 1986. Since then, Honeybee Robotics continues to receive contracts to design and develop space systems. Honeybee Robotics is one of the worlds leading global suppliers of motion control solutions for spacecraft. Our steady, consistent work supporting planetary research has led to us supplying NASA with critical technologies for exploration platforms, including three Mars missions.[3]
Honeybee was acquired by Ensign-Bickford Industries in 2017. In 2018, Avior Controls was acquired by Ensign-Bickford Industries which merged with Honeybee Robotics in 2019. Avior Controls was founded in 2010 by Scott Starin with the charter to provide the highest performance, highest reliability motion-control components, coupled with world-class service and support. Avior is engaged in the design and manufacture of custom, highly reliable, and space-rated motors, gearboxes, dampers, transducers, and actuators for the space, aerospace, and down-hole industries. In January 2022, Honeybee Robotics was sold to Blue Origin.[4]
Products
Honeybee has particular expertise in developing and operating small mechanical tools used on Mars missions. Some of the companies robotic devices have been used on Mars including,
- The Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) instruments used on both Mars Exploration Rovers[5]
- The Icy Soil Acquisition Device (ISAD), sometimes called the "Phoenix Scoop",[6] a soil scoop and a precision ice-sampling tool successfully demonstrated on the 2008 Mars Phoenix Lander mission
- The Sample Manipulation System and Dust Removal Tool used on the Mars Science Laboratory mission, which landed in August 2012[7]
In addition, the company is developing tools that will be used to live and work on the moon as part of NASA's Constellation program.[8] The company is now helping design instruments for NASA's VIPER rover.
Honeybee Robotics develops systems for future planet missions that will explore our solar system including, Mars,[9] Venus, the Moon, two Jovian moons,[9] an asteroid [10] and a comet[11] among others. They have partnered with Bigelow Aerospace to develop a preliminary design for a solar array deployment mechanism that was used on the solar arrays of their Genesis inflatable space habitat. Terrestrial projects include developing mechanisms, installations, and systems for a broad array of clients including Con Edison, the U.S. Navy, Coca-Cola, Nike, and architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro.[12]
In December, 2022, NASA awarded Honeybee Robotics a contract to provide several systems for the upcoming Mars Sample Return mission. These include the Capture, Containment, and Retrieval System (CCRS), Earth Entry System (EES), and Spin Eject Mechanism (SEM).[13]
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) & Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program (Company Contracts with NASA[14])
| Title | Award Amount | State | Mission Directorate | Center | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T8.01-9875 (STTR 2017-1)
Instrumented Bit for In-Situ Spectroscopy (IBISS) |
$119,665.00 | NY | STTR | JPL | 2017 |
| T4.02-9821 (STTR 2017-1)
Planetary LEGO |
$118,690.00 | NY | STTR | KSC | 2017 |
| Z5.01-9621 (SBIR 2017-1)
Universal Docking Interface for Free-Flying Robots |
$118,659.00 | NY | STMD | ARC | 2017 |
| S4.02-9693 (SBIR 2017-1)
Europa Drum Sampler (EDuS) |
$118,540.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2017 |
| S4.04-8372 (SBIR 2017-1)
High Temperature Stirling Cooler |
$118,727.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2017 |
| S4.02-8511 (SBIR 2017-1)
SLUSH: Europa Hybrid Deep Drill |
$118,624.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2017 |
| T8.03-9689 (STTR 2016-1)
In-Situ Spectroscopic Europa Explorer (ISEE) |
$120,062.00 | NY | STTR | ARC | 2016 |
| T4.02-9747 (STTR 2016-1)
Robotic ISRU Construction of Planetary Landing and Launch Pad |
$124,877.00 | NY | STTR | KSC | 2016 |
| H4.01-7953 (SBIR 2016-1)
Dust-Tolerant, High Pressure Oxygen Quick Disconnect for Advanced Spacesuit and Airlock Applications |
$124,100.00 | NY | HEOMD | JSC | 2016 |
| H5.04-7952 (SBIR 2016-1)
Strut Attachment System for In-Space Robotic Assembly |
$123,902.00 | NY | HEOMD | LaRC | 2016 |
| S4.04-7401 (SBIR 2016-1)
High Temperature Joint Actuator |
$124,164.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2016 |
| H6.01-7532 (SBIR 2016-1)
The Stinger: A Geotechnical Sensing Package for Robotic Scouting on a Small Planetary Rover |
$124,423.00 | NY | HEOMD | JSC | 2016 |
| S4.02-7456 (SBIR 2016-1)
Planetary Vacuum Cleaner for Venus and Mars |
$123,628.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2016 |
| H6.01-7532 (SBIR 2016-2)
The Stinger: A Geotechnical Sensing Package for Robotic Scouting on a Small Planetary Rover |
$722,966.00 | NY | HEOMD | JSC | 2016 |
| H5.04-7952 (SBIR 2016-2)
Strut Attachment System for In-Space Robotic Assembly |
$725,608.00 | NY | HEOMD | LaRC | 2016 |
| T4.02-9942 (STTR 2015-1)
The World is Not Enough (WINE): Harvesting Local Resources for Eternal Exploration of Space |
$123,544.00 | NY | STTR | KSC | 2015 |
| H1.01-9667 (SBIR 2015-1)
Planetary Volatiles Extractor for In Situ Resource Utilization |
$124,422.00 | NY | HEOMD | JSC | 2015 |
| S1.06-9575 (SBIR 2015-1)
Lunar Heat Flow Probe |
$122,650.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2015 |
| S4.05-9420 (SBIR 2015-1)
Development of a Hermetically Sealed Canister for Sample Return Missions |
$124,325.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2015 |
| S3.09-8661 (SBIR 2015-1)
Miniaturized System-in-Package Motor Controller for Spacecraft and Orbital Instruments |
$120,048.00 | NY | SMD | GSFC | 2015 |
| S4.05-9420 (SBIR 2015-2)
Development of a Hermetically Sealed Canister for Sample Return Missions |
$749,870.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2015 |
| H1.01-9667 (SBIR 2015-2)
Planetary Volatiles Extractor for In-Situ Resource Utilization |
$749,927.00 | NY | HEOMD | JSC | 2015 |
| T4.02-9942 (STTR 2015-2)
The World is Not Enough (WINE): Harvesting Local Resources for Eternal Exploration of Space |
$749,975.00 | NY | STTR | KSC | 2015 |
| T4.02-9941 (STTR 2014-1)
Free-Flying Unmanned Robotic Spacecraft for Asteroid Resource Prospecting and Characterization |
$124,670.00 | CA | STTR | KSC | 2014 |
| H20.01-9561 (SBIR Select 2014-1)
Adaptive LIDAR Vision System for Advanced Robotics |
$125,918.00 | CA | HEOMD | ARC | 2014 |
| S4.04-9819 (SBIR 2014-1)
High Temperature Venus Drill and Sample Delivery System |
$123,330.00 | CA | SMD | JPL | 2014 |
| S4.02-9647 (SBIR 2014-1)
Pyramid Comet Sampler |
$119,844.00 | CA | SMD | JPL | 2014 |
| S4.02-9127 (SBIR 2014-1)
Extreme Environment Sampling System Deployment Mechanism |
$124,012.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2014 |
| S3.03-8548 (SBIR 2014-1)
Flywheel Energy Storage for Lunar Rovers & Other Small Spacecraft |
$123,620.00 | NY | SMD | GRC | 2014 |
| T4.02-9941 (STTR 2014-2)
Free-Flying Unmanned Robotic Spacecraft for Asteroid Resource Prospecting and Characterization |
$1,137,769.00 | NY | STTR | KSC | 2014 |
| S4.04-9819 (SBIR 2014-2)
High Temperature Venus Drill and Sample Delivery System |
$732,848.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2014 |
| S4.02-9647 (SBIR 2014-2)
Pyramid Comet Sampler |
$980,911.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2014 |
| S1.07-9558 (SBIR 2012-1)
A Comet Surface Sample Return System |
$123,761.00 | NY | SMD | GSFC | 2012 |
| H6.03-9331 (SBIR 2012-1)
NanoDrill: 1 Actuator Core Acquisition System |
$123,049.00 | NY | HEOMD | KSC | 2012 |
| S1.07-9558 (SBIR 2012-2)
A Comet Surface Sample Return System |
$740,998.00 | NY | SMD | GSFC | 2012 |
| H6.03-9331 (SBIR 2012-2)
NanoDrill: 1 Actuator Core Acquisition System |
$733,938.00 | NY | HEOMD | KSC | 2012 |
| X1.01-8468 (SBIR 2011-1)
Mobile In-Situ Mars Water Extractor (MISME) |
$124,898.00 | NY | ESMD | JSC | 2011 |
| S4.01-8172 (SBIR 2011-1)
Lasercom for Intra-Nanosat Communication (LINC) |
$124,797.00 | NY | SMD | ARC | 2011 |
| S3.06-9597 (SBIR 2010-1)
Magnetic Bearings for Small Satellite CMG's and Other Miniature Spacecraft Mechanisms |
$98,814.00 | NY | SMD | GSFC | 2010 |
| S5.02-9592 (SBIR 2010-1)
5 in 1 Drill For Mars Sample Return Mission |
$99,092.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2010 |
| S1.11-9590 (SBIR 2010-1)
Pneumatic Proboscis Heat Flow Probe |
$99,966.00 | NY | SMD | MSFC | 2010 |
| X6.01-9794 (SBIR 2009-1)
Parametric Optimization and Prediction Tool for Lunar Surface Systems Excavation Tasks |
$99,939.00 | NY | ESMD | KSC | 2009 |
| S4.05-9322 (SBIR 2009-1)
TORC-SP: High Torque, Low Jitter Scissored-Pair CMG Technology |
$99,947.00 | NY | SMD | ARC | 2009 |
| S5.02-9092 (SBIR 2009-1)
Extreme Temperature Gearhead |
$99,940.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2009 |
| S5.03-9090 (SBIR 2009-1)
Arm-Deployed Rotary-Percussive Coring Drill |
$99,858.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2009 |
| S1.11-9088 (SBIR 2009-1)
DIHeDRAL: Downhole Regolith Interrogation with Helium-Assisted DRill And LIBS |
$99,969.00 | NY | SMD | MSFC | 2009 |
| X6.01-9794 (SBIR 2009-2)
Parametric Optimization and Prediction Tool for Excavation and Prospecting Tasks |
$599,949.00 | NY | ESMD | KSC | 2009 |
| S4.05-9322 (SBIR 2009-2)
TORC-SP: High Torque, Low Jitter Scissored-Pair CMG Technology |
$599,980.00 | NY | SMD | ARC | 2009 |
| S5.02-9092 (SBIR 2009-2)
Extreme Temperature Gearhead |
$599,356.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2009 |
| S5.03-9090 (SBIR 2009-2)
Arm-Deployed Rotary-Percussive Coring Drill |
$599,401.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2009 |
| S1.11-9088 (SBIR 2009-2)
DIHeDRAL: Downhole Regolith Interrogation with Helium-Assisted Drill and LIBS |
$599,848.00 | NY | SMD | MSFC | 2009 |
| X3.03-9724 (SBIR 2008-1)
Vacuum Compatible Percussive Dynamic Cone Penetrometer |
$99,306.00 | NY | ESMD | GRC | 2008 |
| X5.01-8674 (SBIR 2008-1)
Autonomous Utility Connector for Lunar Surface Systems |
$98,898.41 | NY | ESMD | JSC | 2008 |
| X3.01-8567 (SBIR 2008-1)
Impact-Actuated Digging Tool for Lunar Excavation |
$99,554.92 | NY | ESMD | KSC | 2008 |
| S1.11-8488 (SBIR 2008-1)
Novel Heat Flow Probe Design and Deployment |
$99,223.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2008 |
| X5.01-8674 (SBIR 2008-2)
Autonomous Utility Connector for Lunar Surface Systems |
$598,547.00 | NY | ESMD | JSC | 2008 |
| X7.04-9485 (SBIR 2007-1)
Surface System Dust Mitigation |
$99,974.24 | NY | ESMD | GRC | 2007 |
| S5.03-9066 (SBIR 2007-1)
SASSI: Subsystems for Automated Subsurface Sampling Instruments |
$99,021.74 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2007 |
| S5.03-8882 (SBIR 2007-1)
One-Meter Class Drilling for Planetary Exploration |
$99,378.96 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2007 |
| X7.03-8844 (SBIR 2007-1)
A 3-D Miniature LIDAR System for Mobile Robot Navigation |
$99,516.00 | NY | ESMD | ARC | 2007 |
| S5.04-8749 (SBIR 2007-1)
Robotic Tool Changer for Planetary Exploration |
$99,287.84 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2007 |
| X7.04-9485 (SBIR 2007-2)
Dust-Tolerant, Reusable Connection Mechanism for Lunar Environments |
$599,811.00 | NY | ESMD | JSC | 2007 |
| S5.03-9066 (SBIR 2007-2)
SASSI: Subsystems for Automated Subsurface Sampling Instruments |
$599,842.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2007 |
| S5.03-8882 (SBIR 2007-2)
One-Meter Class Drilling for Planetary Exploration |
$599,683.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2007 |
| X7.03-8844 (SBIR 2007-2)
A 3-D Miniature LIDAR System for Mobile Robot Navigation |
$599,090.00 | NY | ESMD | JSC | 2007 |
| S2.02-8528 (SBIR 2006-2)
Brushless DC Motor and Resolver for Venusian Environment |
$599,995.60 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2006 |
| X4.03-8139 (SBIR 2006-2)
Pneumatic Excavation Mechanism for Lunar Resource Utilization |
$599,669.00 | NY | ESMD | KSC | 2006 |
| S2.02-8528 (SBIR 2006-1)
Brushless DC Motor and Resolver for Venusian Environment |
$98,266.85 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2006 |
| X5.01-8741 (SBIR 2006-1)
Gear Bearing Transmission for the Lunar Environment |
$96,229.54 | NY | ESMD | GSFC | 2006 |
| X4.03-8139 (SBIR 2006-1)
Pneumatic Excavation Mechanism for Lunar Resource Utilization |
$99,851.83 | NY | ESMD | KSC | 2006 |
| S4.02-7580 (SBIR 2005-1)
Aerobot Sampling and Handling System |
$69,449.00 | NY | SMD | JPL | 2005 |
| X12.02-7528 (SBIR 2005-1)
Dust-Tolerant Reusable Connection Mechanisms for Lunar Environments |
$68,067.00 | NY | ESMD | JSC | 2005 |
| S4.02-8070 (SBIR 2004-1)
High-Temperature/Pressure Sampling System |
$69,764.00 | NY | N/A | JPL | 2004 |
| S4.02-8070 (SBIR 2004-2)
Extreme Temperature Motor and Drill System |
$599,464.00 | NY | N/A | JPL | 2004 |
| 19.03-8119 (SBIR 2000-1)
Subsurface Coring Sampler System |
$69,828.00 | NY | N/A | JPL | 2000 |
| 19.03-8119 (SBIR 2000-2)
Subsurface Coring Sampler System |
$599,099.00 | NY | N/A | JPL | 2000 |
| 18.01-0661 (SBIR 1999-1)
Comet Nucleus Source Sampler |
$69,888.00 | NY | N/A | ARC | 1999 |
| 18.01-0661 (SBIR 1999-2)
Comet Nucleus Source Sampler |
$599,286.00 | NY | N/A | ARC | 1999 |
| 05.01-0661 (SBIR 1995-1)
A MINIATURE PLANETARY SUBSURFACE SAMPLE ACQUISITION AND SAMPLE TRANSFER SYSTEM |
$66,558.00 | NY | N/A | JPL | 1995 |
| 05.01-0661 (SBIR 1995-2)
A MINIATURE PLANETARY SUBSURFACE SAMPLE ACQUISITION AND SAMPLE TRANSFER SYSTEM |
$597,216.00 | NY | N/A | JPL | 1995 |
| 04.09-0661 (SBIR 1994-1)
A Compact Ultrasonic Multi Degree-Of-Freedom Positioning System |
$69,779.00 | NY | N/A | GSFC | 1994 |
| 05.07-0661A (SBIR 1993-1)
Fastener for Telerobotic and Manual Servicing of Small and Medium-Sized Payloads |
$69,968.00 | NY | N/A | GSFC | 1993 |
| 05.07-0661A (SBIR 1993-2)
Fastener for Telerobotic and Manual Servicing of Small and Medium-Sized Payloads |
$596,257.00 | NY | N/A | GSFC | 1993 |
| 05.05-0661B (SBIR 1992-1)
Cableless Joint for Space Robotic Manipulators |
$49,947.00 | NY | N/A | GSFC | 1992 |
| 05.05-0661B (SBIR 1992-2)
Cableless Joints Using Geared Flex Rings |
$475,276.00 | NY | N/A | GSFC | 1992 |
| 05.03-0661 (SBIR 1991-1)
Variable-Torque Clutch and/or Brake for On-Orbit Robotic and Other Mechanisms |
$49,947.00 | NY | N/A | GSFC | 1991 |
| 05.03-0661 (SBIR 1991-2)
Variable-Torque Clutch and/or Brake for On-Orbit Robotic and Other Mechanisms |
$472,366.00 | NY | N/A | GSFC | 1991 |
| 05.03-0661 (SBIR 1990-1)
Gravity Compensation System for Simulation of On-Orbit Telerobotic Operations |
$49,916.00 | NY | N/A |
References
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- Dyne, Dylan Van; Zacny, Kris; Thomas, Lisa; Paulsen, Gale; Lam, Sherman; Williams, Hunter J.; Sabahi, Dara; Chu, Philip; Spring, Justin; Satou, Yasutaka; Kato, Hiroki; Sawada, Hirotaka; Usui, Tomohiro; Fujimoto, Masaki; Imada, Takane (2021-04-07). "Pneumatic Sampler (P-Sampler) for the Martian Moons Exploration (MMX)".
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- "Touch and Go Days - Astrobiology Magazine". astrobio.net. 7 February 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
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- NASA.gov
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. - "How to build lunar homes from moon dirt". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
- K. Zacny, G. Paulsen, K. Davis, E. Mumm, and S. Gorevan, Honeybee Robotics Planetary Sample Acquisition, Transfer and Processing Technologies, presented at Mars Sample Return 2008, Lunar and Planetary Science Institute
- Derek Sears, Carl Allen, Dan Britt, Don Brownlee, Melissa Franzen, Leon Gefert, Stephen Gorovan, Carle Pieters, Jeffrey Preble, Dan Scheeres and Ed Scott, "The Hera mission: multiple near-earth asteroid sample return" Advances in Space Research, Volume 34 Issue 11, 2004, pp. 2270-2275 doi:10.1016/j.asr.2003.05.059
- S. Gorevan, I. Yachbes, P. Bartlett, K.Zacny, G. L. Paulsen, T. Kennedy, B. Basso, and J. Wilson, "Comet and Asteroid Sample Acquisition, Containerization, and Transfer for Sample Return" presented at Spacecraft Reconnaissance of Asteroid and Comet Interiors (2006)
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