Two pioneering technology firms, Arkisys and Limitless Telepresence, have announced a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at revolutionising the way people on Earth experience and interact with space. The partnership, unveiled in Los Alamitos, California, will focus on developing telepresence technologies that enable thousands of users — including students, researchers, and industry participants — to engage directly with robotic systems operating in orbit and on the lunar surface.
The joint initiative represents a major step forward in remote space operations and could dramatically expand public access to space activities. Both companies believe their combined expertise will help accelerate innovations in what they call “Earth-to-Space telepresence,” enabling real-time interaction between humans on Earth and machines in orbit.
Expanding Human Access to Space
Arkisys, a leader in long-duration on-orbit services and post-launch platforms, brings extensive experience in space infrastructure and robotics. The firm recently made headlines after being selected by NASA as a commercial sustaining and maintenance partner for Astrobee, the free-flying robotic system aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The new partnership builds on that achievement, reinforcing Arkisys’s position as one of the key players advancing the future of remote space operations.
Limitless Telepresence, meanwhile, is developing technologies designed to extend human presence virtually into distant and extreme environments. The company is currently working with leading California universities to create a programme that will place ten miniature teleoperated rovers on the Moon within three years. Each rover will be controllable from Earth, allowing thousands of users — including students — to operate them remotely using their smartphones.
According to the company, this approach will democratise access to space and transform science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education by giving people the chance to participate directly in real lunar exploration.
A New Frontier in Remote Operations
The collaboration between Arkisys and Limitless Telepresence will initially focus on advancing the systems required to safely operate and control in-space assets from Earth. This includes improving video, telemetry, and control systems to ensure secure and reliable communication links between operators and robotic platforms.
“Our collaboration accelerates the systems and procedures needed to safely enable remote operation of in-space resources like Astrobee,” said David Barnhart, CEO and Founder of Arkisys. “Telepresence is the bridge that will let people on Earth interact with orbital and lunar assets in real time.”
The companies believe that developing these technologies will pave the way for large-scale, low-cost participation in the space economy. From research and manufacturing to education and exploration, remote access could soon allow people worldwide to take part in activities previously limited to astronauts and aerospace professionals.
Unlocking Human Capability Beyond Earth
For Limitless Telepresence, the partnership with Arkisys represents an opportunity to expand the reach of its core mission: enabling humans to experience distant environments as if they were physically present. The company sees telepresence not only as a tool for space exploration but as a transformative capability for use across a range of sectors, including oceanography and remote industrial operations.
David H. Mitchell, CEO and Founder of Limitless Telepresence, emphasised the broader implications of the project. “Telepresence will unlock human capability everywhere—on the Moon, in space, across Earth, and even under the ocean. Partnering with Arkisys allows us to push the boundaries of what is possible and practical,” he said.
The companies plan to begin joint development work in 2026, focusing on the safety, security, and technical foundations needed for sustainable remote operations in space. These efforts will support both near-term commercial opportunities and long-term goals such as supporting astronauts, robotic servicing, and lunar infrastructure projects.
A Shared Vision for the Future
Both organisations share a vision of a future where people from all walks of life can meaningfully participate in humanity’s expansion into space. Through their partnership, they aim to make telepresence not just a research concept but a widely available tool for education, industry, and exploration.
“The shared vision is clear,” said David Mitchell. “By connecting people directly to orbital and lunar activity, this partnership aims to dramatically expand commercial opportunity, broaden STEM engagement, enable unique support for current and future astronauts and space travelers, and unlock a new era of accessible human participation in the space economy. Earth-to-Space telepresence will be a safe low-cost enabler for large-scale space operations.”
If successful, the collaboration between Arkisys and Limitless Telepresence could mark the beginning of a new phase in human–machine interaction — one that brings the wonders of space within reach of anyone with a connection to the internet.
