Buzz
A new arrival on the International Space Station is stealing hearts – the JEM Internal Ball Camera, affectionately known as the Int-Ball. This round, autonomous drone is tasked with capturing stunning images as the space station's mobile photographer. The Japanese space agency JAXA unveiled its first photos on July 14, as Engadget reports.
Int-Ball made its way to Japan's Kibo module aboard the ISS as part of a payload launched on June 4. This innovative device captures both video and still images while navigating the microgravity environment of the space station. It operates either autonomously or under the control of operators on Earth. The images are transmitted almost in real-time to Earth, giving ground control a unique, astronaut’s-eye view and offering guidance in case any issues arise.
Measuring just 6 inches in diameter, this 3D-printed sphere is equipped with two 'eyes' around its camera, allowing astronauts to see exactly what it’s capturing. (These 'eyes' also enhance its cuteness factor.) The drone is powered by 12 fans, which enable it to glide through the station, using specially placed pink targets on walls and doors as navigational guides.
Astronauts currently dedicate around 10 percent of their workday to photographing activities on the ISS, as reported by JAXA. However, the Int-Ball camera could drastically reduce this time commitment. The ultimate goal is to completely remove this task from astronauts' duties, allowing them to focus on their research while the drone handles the documentation for them.
