Irish Co-founded Space-Tech Bags $6.1M for Robot Labour Force
- Icarus,a new York-headquartered robotics startup,is developing robots designed to handle logistical tasks within spacecraft,freeing up astronauts to concentrate on scientific research.
- Co-founders Ethan Barajas and Jamie Palmer, originally from county Tyrone, Ireland, discovered through conversations with astronauts that a significant portion of their time in space is dedicated to...
- Instead, they are focusing on a more practical approach: a fan-propelled robot equipped with arms and grippers.
Icarus robotics Secures $6.1M Seed Funding to Automate Spacecraft Labor
The Challenge: Astronaut Time Spent on Logistics
Icarus,a new York-headquartered robotics startup,is developing robots designed to handle logistical tasks within spacecraft,freeing up astronauts to concentrate on scientific research. On September 17, 2025, the company announced it had raised $6.1 million in a seed funding round
TechCrunch.
The round was led by Soma Capital and Xtal, with participation from Nebular and Massive Tech Ventures.
Co-founders Ethan Barajas and Jamie Palmer, originally from county Tyrone, Ireland, discovered through conversations with astronauts that a significant portion of their time in space is dedicated to cargo management and logistical operations, rather than core scientific objectives.
Icarus’s Robotic solution: Beyond Humanoid Designs
Icarus is not pursuing a humanoid robot design. Instead, they are focusing on a more practical approach: a fan-propelled robot equipped with arms and grippers. The company’s initial robot prototype will be designed to unpack and stow cargo within a spacecraft habitat.
This design choice reflects a focus on functionality and efficiency in the unique constraints of space travel. Traditional humanoid robots often struggle with the complexities of zero-gravity environments and require significant power.
Funding Breakdown and Future Plans
The $6.1 million seed round will primarily fund the growth and testing of Icarus’s robotic system. The company intends to conduct flight testing within the next year.
While the specific allocation of funds wasn’t detailed in the TechCrunch report, seed funding typically covers initial engineering, prototyping, and early-stage testing.
The growing Market for space Automation
The demand for automation in space is increasing as space agencies and private companies plan for more aspiring missions, including lunar bases and long-duration Mars missions. The need to reduce costs and improve astronaut safety is driving this trend.
According to a MarketsandMarkets report, the global space robotics market is projected to reach $4.8 billion by 20