DEPLOYDatabase

Robot model

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…

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

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.)
Verified deployments
1 deployment on file
Sources on file
3 sources, view all

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)

Int-Ball on the deployment map

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

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

No incidents on record for Int-Ball.

Only active incidents are counted. Retracted incidents are excluded from this summary 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.
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