Remember Haro, the cheerful green ball-shaped robot from Mobile Suit Gundam? It's about to become real, and fly to the International Space Station. A Japanese startup is sending an autonomous Haro robot to the ISS "Kibo" module, and you can be part of the mission through crowdfunding. Here's how anime dreams are merging with actual space exploration.

The "Minna no Haro" Project

On April 7, 2026, Space Entry Inc., a startup based in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, announced the launch of "HELLO, HARO", a mission to send an autonomous space robot called "Minna no Haro" (Everyone's Haro) to JAXA's Kibo Japanese Experiment Module aboard the International Space Station for a long-term stay.

What sets this project apart is its participatory approach. From development and assembly to testing, launch, and orbital operations, ordinary people can get involved at every stage. Crowdfunding opens on April 14, 2026, at 7:00 AM JST on CAMPFIRE, Japan's largest crowdfunding platform. Backers can join as "crew members" with access to the development process, exclusive merchandise, and even launch event attendance.

Three World Firsts

According to Space Entry, the project achieves three world firsts (as of April 7, 2026, per the company's own research):

First: An autonomous robot from a private company reaching the ISS Kibo module. Second: A space robot powered by Zephyr RTOS, an open-source real-time operating system managed under the Linux Foundation. Zephyr is widely used in IoT devices and robotics, with backing from major tech companies including Google and Meta. Third: An autonomous robot with conversational capabilities reaching space.

Designed by Legendary Mecha Designer Kunio Okawara

The robot's design is supervised by Kunio Okawara, the iconic mechanical designer behind the original Mobile Suit Gundam series. Okawara is responsible for some of the most recognizable mecha in anime history, and his involvement brings an authentic connection between the fictional Haro and its real-world counterpart.

The engineering challenge was significant: maintaining Haro's signature spherical shape while integrating propellers and sensors for mobility in microgravity. Okawara worked directly with the engineering team to balance aesthetic fidelity with functional space hardware requirements.

Three-Phase Mission Plan

The project unfolds across three phases:

Phase 1: Ground Testing. Operational verification under simulated space conditions, including vibration and thermal testing.

Phase 2: Microgravity Testing. Confirming the robot can replicate ground-tested movements in the zero-gravity environment of the ISS.

Phase 3: Communication Testing. Running interaction tests between the robot and astronauts or ground-based users, validating the conversational AI system.

The timeline targets spring 2026 for project kickoff, a winter 2026 launch, and ISS experiments beginning in 2027.

How JAXA's Kibo Commercial Program Makes It Possible

The launch and ISS operations will be conducted through JAXA's Kibo Paid Utilization Program (non-standard services), facilitated by Japan Low Orbit Community Co., Ltd. This program allows private companies to commercially use Japan's Kibo module, serving as a critical bridge between government space infrastructure and private-sector innovation.

Space Entry CEO Ryoichi Kumagai brings serious credibility to this venture. He spent over 25 years at JAMSS (Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation) working on the Kibo module's development and operations. Notably, he served as space project leader for Toyota's KIROBO robot in 2012, the first-ever private robot demonstration aboard a space station, giving him direct experience in exactly this kind of mission.

Partners and Funding

The "HELLO, HARO Partners" consortium includes Kunio Okawara, Bandai Namco Filmworks (the studio behind Gundam), Aisan Industry Co., Uvance Innovation Studio, Inagi City, and Yanagi Gakuen educational institution. Space Entry also secured approximately $200,000 in funding from Hakuhodo (one of Japan's largest advertising agencies) via a J-KISS convertible note in December 2024.

From Watching Space to Participating in Space

CEO Kumagai put it simply: "Space holds infinite possibilities for phenomena and discoveries nobody has ever seen. We want to create a future where that excitement isn't limited to a select few, everyone can experience and share it together."

"Minna no Haro" is more than a robot. For the generation that grew up watching Gundam, it's a childhood dream becoming reality. For younger audiences unfamiliar with the franchise, it's the most approachable entry point into space development imaginable, a cute, conversational ball that floats through a space station.

Japan increasingly bridges pop culture and cutting-edge technology in ways few other countries do. What about your country? Does fiction inspire real-world space efforts where you're from? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

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