# Caltech robot assembles antenna support section in orbit

_Published Monday, November 9, 2026 at 11:57 PM EST · Robotics, Infrastructure · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Graphic of megastructure in space — Primary](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/7d6cb96/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1050+0+225/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com%2F84%2Fff%2F4f44d18b47848caecd96d0105db4%2Fdarpa-nom4d-hero.jpg&na.image_optimisation=0)

A Caltech robot funded by DARPA assembled an antenna truss section from individual components in orbit, demonstrating a way to construct space structures from smaller parts. Researchers described the ASTRA project's demonstration as the first autonomous construction of a structure in space.

The project intended to build a 1.4-meter-wide reflector antenna, but time limits restricted assembly to one support section; two other sections arrived pre-assembled. Engineers on Earth reviewed photographs, investigated problems using a laboratory duplicate and sent commands during a few daily contact windows lasting 15 minutes each.

## Sources

- [New Atlas: Technology-Innovation-Outdoor News](https://newatlas.com/technology/robot-built-structure-space-first-time/)

---
Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/UzL9ZOnfHQFomUHwGm-xu5
Published: 2026-11-10T04:57:36.804Z
Story chronology: 2026-11-10T03:50:40.299Z
Retrieved: 2026-11-10T07:08:29.196Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)