Technology · Space technology · published 2026-10-13 · via Payload Space

ORBES Founder Aims to Put Robots to Work in Orbit

Anna Shaposhnik started ORBES in 2024 to develop robots that can assist with tasks aboard space stations and capture exterior views. The company's ORB unit is scheduled to fly to the ISS next year with Voyager Technologies, while EXO-ORB is set to launch on Symphony Space's Adagio demo in late 2027 or early 2028. Shaposhnik sees inspection and filming work as an entry point for broader in-orbit servicing and STEAM projects.

Expanded Detail

ORBES was launched in 2024 by Anna Shaposhnik, now its CEO. While studying arts, technology, and innovation business at USC, she met NASA astronaut Terry Virts, who had filmed the IMAX documentary A Beautiful Planet aboard the ISS and described difficulties of filming and working in orbit. That conversation shaped ORBES’s focus on robots for practical and creative support in space.

The California company is developing ORB for use inside space stations, with a first ISS flight planned next year alongside Voyager Technologies. EXO-ORB, intended to film space structures from outside, is slated for Symphony Space’s Adagio demo in late 2027 or early 2028. Shaposhnik frames exterior inspection and filming as an initial market.

Count words. First para: ORBES(1) was2 launched3 in4 2024(5) by6 Anna7 Shaposhnik,8 now9 its10 CEO.11 While12 studying13 arts,14 technology,15 and16 innovation17 business18 at19 USC,20 she21 met22 NASA23 astronaut24 Terry25 Virts,26 who27 had28 filmed29 the30 IMAX31 documentary32 A33 Beautiful34 Planet35 aboard36 the37 ISS38 and39 described40 difficulties41 of42 filming43 and44 working45 in46 orbit.47 That48 conversation49 shaped50 ORBES’s51 focus52 on53 robots54 for55 practical56 and57 creative58 support59 in60 space.61

Second: The1 California2 company3 is4 developing5 ORB6 for7 use8 inside9 space10 stations,11 with12 a13 first14 ISS15 flight16 planned17 next18 year19 alongside20 Voyager21 Technologies.22 EXO-ORB,23 intended24 to25 film26 space27 structur

Context

Robots such as ORB and EXO-ORB could reduce the burden on astronauts, whose time in orbit is expensive, and may help operators inspect spacecraft and stations more routinely. Exterior filming might also give

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This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “Anna Shaposhnik, ORBES.” Browse more stories.