U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
12/05/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/05/2025 07:50
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Wins Best Paper Award at International Space Robotics Conference
NEWS | Dec. 5, 2025
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Wins Best Paper Award at International Space Robotics Conference
By Emily Winget, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Corporate Communications
WASHINGTON, D.C. -
A U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) space robotics team received the Best Paper Award in Orbital Robotics at the 2025 International Conference on Space Robotics (iSpaRo) in Sendai, Japan, on Dec. 3. The recognition spotlights NRL's leadership in autonomous space systems and artificial intelligence-enabled operations.
The award was presented for the NRL paper titled "Autonomous Planning In-space Assembly Reinforcement-learning free-flyer (APIARY) International Space Station Astrobee Testing," which documents the first successful in-space demonstration of reinforcement learning control on a free-flying robotic system on board the International Space Station using NASA's Astrobee platform.
The APIARY experiment validates the use of artificial intelligence to enable robotic systems to learn, adapt, and operate safely in the challenging microgravity environment of space. The work represents a major step forward for future missions involving spacecraft servicing, in-space assembly, autonomous logistics, and orbital-debris mitigation.
The team includes three early career scientists, NRL Space Roboticist Samantha Chapin, Ph.D., NRL Computer Research Scientist Kenneth Stewart, Ph.D., NRL Computer Research Scientist Roxana Leontie, Ph.D, and NRL's Senior Scientist for Robotics and Autonomous Systems Glen Henshaw, Ph.D.
"This award highlights NRL's leadership in space autonomy and AI-enabled technologies," Henshaw said. "APIARY shows how reinforcement learning can move from theory to mission-ready capability: by delivering autonomous systems that are more intelligent, resilient, and adaptable. While demonstrated in space, these advances provide a scalable framework for operations across domains, from terrestrial to maritime environments."
The APIARY experiment validates the use of artificial intelligence to enable robotic systems to learn, adapt, and operate safely in the challenging microgravity environment of space. The work represents a major step forward for future missions involving spacecraft servicing, in-space assembly, autonomous logistics, and orbital-debris mitigation.
The team includes three early career scientists, NRL Space Roboticist Samantha Chapin, Ph.D., NRL Computer Research Scientist Kenneth Stewart, Ph.D., NRL Computer Research Scientist Roxana Leontie, Ph.D, and NRL's Senior Scientist for Robotics and Autonomous Systems Glen Henshaw, Ph.D.
"This award highlights NRL's leadership in space autonomy and AI-enabled technologies," Henshaw said. "APIARY shows how reinforcement learning can move from theory to mission-ready capability: by delivering autonomous systems that are more intelligent, resilient, and adaptable. While demonstrated in space, these advances provide a scalable framework for operations across domains, from terrestrial to maritime environments."
The iSpaRo conference brings together leaders from government, academia, and industry to advance research in orbital operations, planetary exploration, and autonomous systems. The Best Paper in Orbital Robotics award recognizes exceptional scientific merit and direct applicability to real-world operations.
"We are deeply grateful to the NASA Ames Research Center Astrobee team for their collaboration and technical partnership that made this milestone possible," Leontie said. "We also thank the iSpaRo organizers for their engagement and support in enabling our participation and recognition at this year's conference."
APIARY's success also highlights the impact of early-career scientists at NRL, reflecting the Laboratory's investment in cultivating the next generation of leaders in national-security science and engineering.
About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL, located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California, and employs approximately 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.
NRL offers several mechanisms for collaborating with the broader scientific community, within and outside of the Federal government. These include Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), LP-CRADAs, Educational Partnership Agreements, agreements under the authority of 10 USC 4892, licensing agreements, FAR contracts, and other applicable agreements. For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at [email protected].
"We are deeply grateful to the NASA Ames Research Center Astrobee team for their collaboration and technical partnership that made this milestone possible," Leontie said. "We also thank the iSpaRo organizers for their engagement and support in enabling our participation and recognition at this year's conference."
APIARY's success also highlights the impact of early-career scientists at NRL, reflecting the Laboratory's investment in cultivating the next generation of leaders in national-security science and engineering.
About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL, located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California, and employs approximately 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.
NRL offers several mechanisms for collaborating with the broader scientific community, within and outside of the Federal government. These include Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), LP-CRADAs, Educational Partnership Agreements, agreements under the authority of 10 USC 4892, licensing agreements, FAR contracts, and other applicable agreements. For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at [email protected].
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