DEPLOYDatabase

Robot model

Int-Ball

spaceresearchby Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

JAXA JEM Internal Ball Camera: a free-flying, self-propelled spherical camera drone inside the ISS Japanese Experiment Module, controlled by JAXA ground…

Track Int-Ball
Manufacturer
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Form factor
space
Maturity
research
Lifecycle
active
Deployments
1
Website
iss.jaxa.jp ↗

The verified answer

As of Sep 2026, DEPLOY verifies Int-Ball, a space by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (research): 1 verified deployment on record. 3 sources back the record.

Overview

JAXA JEM Internal Ball Camera: a free-flying, self-propelled spherical camera drone inside the ISS Japanese Experiment Module, controlled by JAXA ground operators to record crew operations (offloading photo/video chores from astronauts). Autonomous free-flight and station-keeping; tasking is ground-directed. Int-Ball 1 launched 2017-06-03; Int-Ball2 (2023-06-06) adds a stereo camera, IMU and autonomous docking.

Verified vs. claimed

Maturity stage
research(Lab-stage only; no commercial or public deployment reported.)
Sources on file
View all sources →

Key facts

Focus

Japan's national space agency

Robot

Developer of the Int-Ball free-flying ISS camera drones

Product

Int-Ball free-flying ISS camera drone

Research areas

lunar robotics, satellite servicing, debris removal

Specs

Role

ISS internal free-flying camera

Autonomy

autonomous free-flight/station-keeping; ground-directed tasking

Launched

2017-06-03

Data & sources

Web sources

3

3 sources backing this record.View all →

Pricing

No verified price is on record for Int-Ball. Physical-AI systems are often sold through enterprise contracts or operated as a service rather than at a public list price.

How DEPLOY tracks pricing

Deployments (1)

Free to use on your site, with a link back to DEPLOY.

Int-Ball on the deployment map

View the global map

Where Int-Ball is verified operating. Explore the deployment map by place and type.

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Recent activity

Every change to this record is dated, sourced, and independently verified where marked.

  • Verified media addedVerifiedJun 11, 2026

    First Disclosure of Images Taken by Int-Ball, JAXA ISS Drone Camera...

  • Verified media addedVerifiedJun 7, 2026

    Int-Ball footage first release (full version)

  • Sources verifiedVerifiedJun 7, 2026

    source added -> IEEE: Int-Ball: Crew-Supportive...

  • Sources verifiedVerifiedJun 7, 2026

    source added -> JAXA: First disclosure of images taken...

  • Record createdJun 6, 2026

    Added to the verified registry

Full change history →

Safety record

1 incident on record (1 moderate). Most recent: Oct 2023.

moderate
1

Most recent: Oct 2023

Only active incidents are counted. Retracted incidents are excluded from this summary but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.

Incidents affecting Int-Ball (1)

Includes incidents linked directly to this model or to deployments of it. Retracted incidents are excluded from this view but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.

Sources (3)

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Int-Ball
  2. https://iss.jaxa.jp/en/kiboexp/news/170714_int_ball_en.html
  3. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8741689/

Common questions

What is Int-Ball?
JAXA JEM Internal Ball Camera: a free-flying, self-propelled spherical camera drone inside the ISS Japanese Experiment Module, controlled by JAXA ground operators to record crew operations (offloading photo/video chores from astronauts). Autonomous free-flight and station-keeping; tasking is ground-directed. Int-Ball 1 launched 2017-06-03; Int-Ball2 (2023-06-06) adds a stereo camera, IMU and autonomous docking.
How much does Int-Ball cost?
Int-Ball's price is not publicly disclosed. DEPLOY has no verified price on record for Int-Ball from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Physical-AI systems like this are often sold through enterprise contracts or operated as a service rather than at a public list price; check the manufacturer for the latest.
Is Int-Ball actually deployed in the real world?
Yes. Int-Ball is independently verified in real-world operation on the DEPLOY registry, confirmed at named deployment sites with primary sources: not a concept, render, or demo-only.
Who makes Int-Ball?
Int-Ball is made by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, based in Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan, founded in 2003.
Where is Int-Ball deployed?
1 verified deployment of Int-Ball is on the DEPLOY registry, including at International Space Station.
Can you buy Int-Ball?
Int-Ball is at research stage and is not yet available for sale.
What are alternatives to Int-Ball?
On the DEPLOY registry, comparable space robots to Int-Ball include Chang'e Lander, Mira, W-Series Capsule, spacevan.
How does Int-Ball compare to Chang'e Lander?
Int-Ball and Chang'e Lander (China National Space Administration · 4 deployments) are both space robots on the DEPLOY registry. Int-Ball has 1 verified deployment on record. Compare both records for specs, safety, deployments, and verified-vs-claimed autonomy.
Is Int-Ball a top space?
On DEPLOY's intelligence score, which blends verified deployments, safety, adoption, media, and IP signals, Int-Ball ranks in roughly the top 64% of space models tracked by the registry.
What is Int-Ball's maturity stage?
Int-Ball is at the research stage on the DEPLOY maturity ladder (research, prototype, pilot, commercial, production). Research stage means active development without commercial deployments on file.
Is Int-Ball safe?
Int-Ball has 1 active incident on record in the DEPLOY registry. 1 incident on record (1 moderate). Most recent: Oct 2023. Retracted incidents are excluded from this count.
Methodology: Verified · 3 sources (no primary) · last reviewed 2026-07-12

Verification posture

Verified

Low confidence

Review state

Stable

Last reviewed 2026-07-12

Maturity + lifecycle

Maturity stage: research

Lifecycle: active

Architectural position

Cohort: space

Sources by quality tier

2
unclassified
Unclassified source
1
knowledge-base
Knowledge base

The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.

Methodology surface for Int-Ball.

Recent coverage

Int-Ball in third-party press

Kibo Robot Programming Challenge - JAXA 有人宇宙技術部門

Mar 26, 2026

Stem Cells, Robotics, and Spacesuits Top Station Crew Day - NASA (.gov)

Dec 16, 2025

German And Japanese Robots Communicate With Each Other On the ISS for the First Time - All-About-Industries

Sep 15, 2025