Gecko & Octopus-Inspired Robot Clears Space Debris in ISS Trials
A groundbreaking object-manipulation technology, inspired by the biomechanics of geckos and octopuses, has successfully completed trials aboard the International Space Station and returned to Earth. Developed by the Wisconsin-based American startup Kall Morris Inc., the device holds the promise of becoming a new standard in satellite servicing and orbital debris removal.
The company’s innovation, a multifunctional robotic system named REACCH (Responsive Engaging Arms for Captive Care and Handling), is engineered to gently grasp and manipulate objects in space. As reported by MSN, REACCH is capable of handling objects as small as a basketball (approximately 250 mm in diameter) and structures as large as 6.5 meters—roughly the span of a three-point arc on a basketball court.
In an interview with Upper Michigan’s Source, company co-founder and CEO Troy Morris described the system as an “orbital tow truck.” The design is based on articulated mechanical joints that can securely attach to unprepared objects without causing damage or requiring dedicated docking mechanisms. The developers liken the system’s delicate and precise operation to that of an octopus, able to maneuver even in the absence of predefined grasp points.
During its deployment on the ISS, a four-armed version of REACCH was tested, tailored to meet the station’s spatial constraints and stringent safety requirements. According to an official press release from Northern Michigan University, the system completed 172 successful capture cycles throughout its mission. The REACCH unit was subsequently returned to Earth on May 25, 2025, aboard the SpaceX Dragon CRS-32 capsule.
A full-scale version of the REACCH system, equipped with eight manipulators, is scheduled for commercial deployment by 2027.
The technology was developed with support from the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. Drawing inspiration from nature, the engineers mimicked the microstructures found on gecko toes to ensure secure adhesion, while the movement principles of octopuses informed the system’s flexibility and precision.
According to its creators, such advancements are vital for the future of space operations. As the number of satellites continues to surge, extending their operational lifespan, adjusting orbits, and safely decommissioning aging units will become increasingly critical—particularly in addressing the growing crisis of space debris crowding near-Earth orbit.
