Three World Firsts (※)! Minna no Haro Goes to Space: Autonomous Space Robot 'Minna no Haro' Project Launched, Offering Opportunities to Experience Space Development Processes such as Assembly and Testing
Space Entry Inc. has launched the 'HELLO, HARO' project, sending 'Minna no Haro,' an autonomous space robot designed by mechanic designer Kunio Okawara, to the ISS. This project offers opportunities for the general public to participate in space development, with crowdfunding for mission participation rights starting soon.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 14:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 19:50 (317h 20m after Collected)
Space Entry Inc. (Headquarters: Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture; Representative Director CEO: Ryoichi Kumagai) announced today, April 7, 2026, the launch of the 'HELLO, HARO' mission. This mission will send 'Minna no Haro,' an autonomous space robot designed by mechanic designer Kunio Okawara, to the International Space Station (ISS) for a long-term stay in the 'Kibo' Japanese Experiment Module.
This project offers an experience where anyone can be involved in the development, testing, launch, and in-space operation. You can witness the moment space transforms from 'something to watch' to 'something to participate in.' Space is no longer a distant world. The era where your thoughts can reach space is beginning!
(※) All are world-first initiatives by a private company: an autonomous robot reaching the ISS 'Kibo' Japanese Experiment Module, the development of a space robot equipped with the latest OS 'Zephyr,' and a conversational autonomous robot (as of April 7, 2026, according to company research).
The first phase is a participatory project, with the concept of 'everyone can participate in a space mission,' in cooperation with mechanic designer Kunio Okawara, who worked on Haro from 'Mobile Suit Gundam.' Mission participation rights, allowing participants to experience the process of robot development, assembly, launch, and in-space operation, will be recruited through crowdfunding, starting from 7:00 AM on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
In recent years, space development has continued to expand with the entry of private companies, but opportunities for the general public to directly participate remain limited. Space Entry's mission is to 'realize a world where people worldwide can easily participate in space development,' and through this project, they aim to expand participation opportunities and broaden the base of space development.
■ Project Overview
In this mission, 'Minna no Haro' will be sent to the ISS, and data will be acquired regarding the potential for autonomous robots in space environments through verification in the following three phases. The launch and stay on the ISS will be carried out under the framework of JAXA's 'Kibo' paid utilization system (non-standard service), provided through the private company Japan Low Earth Orbit Company.
① Operation test under terrestrial conditions (operation verification under conditions simulating the space environment)
② Operation test in microgravity environment (verification of whether it can move similarly to on Earth)
③ Communication function verification (operation test simulating interaction with astronauts and users)
Why 'Minna no Haro'?
Not only in the field of space development, but many people, when they were children, were thrilled by 'Mobile Suit Gundam' and longed for space. 'Minna no Haro' is a symbol of that origin. 'Minna no Haro goes to space!' The dream that was once on the other side of the screen is now heading to real space.
Even for generations unfamiliar with Gundam, the intuitive clarity and familiarity of 'Minna no Haro' are intended to serve as an entry point, encouraging many people to become interested and creating opportunities to get involved in space development, regardless of their specialized knowledge.
This project offers an experience where anyone can be involved in the development, testing, launch, and in-space operation. You can witness the moment space transforms from 'something to watch' to 'something to participate in.' Space is no longer a distant world. The era where your thoughts can reach space is beginning!
(※) All are world-first initiatives by a private company: an autonomous robot reaching the ISS 'Kibo' Japanese Experiment Module, the development of a space robot equipped with the latest OS 'Zephyr,' and a conversational autonomous robot (as of April 7, 2026, according to company research).
The first phase is a participatory project, with the concept of 'everyone can participate in a space mission,' in cooperation with mechanic designer Kunio Okawara, who worked on Haro from 'Mobile Suit Gundam.' Mission participation rights, allowing participants to experience the process of robot development, assembly, launch, and in-space operation, will be recruited through crowdfunding, starting from 7:00 AM on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
In recent years, space development has continued to expand with the entry of private companies, but opportunities for the general public to directly participate remain limited. Space Entry's mission is to 'realize a world where people worldwide can easily participate in space development,' and through this project, they aim to expand participation opportunities and broaden the base of space development.
■ Project Overview
In this mission, 'Minna no Haro' will be sent to the ISS, and data will be acquired regarding the potential for autonomous robots in space environments through verification in the following three phases. The launch and stay on the ISS will be carried out under the framework of JAXA's 'Kibo' paid utilization system (non-standard service), provided through the private company Japan Low Earth Orbit Company.
① Operation test under terrestrial conditions (operation verification under conditions simulating the space environment)
② Operation test in microgravity environment (verification of whether it can move similarly to on Earth)
③ Communication function verification (operation test simulating interaction with astronauts and users)
Why 'Minna no Haro'?
Not only in the field of space development, but many people, when they were children, were thrilled by 'Mobile Suit Gundam' and longed for space. 'Minna no Haro' is a symbol of that origin. 'Minna no Haro goes to space!' The dream that was once on the other side of the screen is now heading to real space.
Even for generations unfamiliar with Gundam, the intuitive clarity and familiarity of 'Minna no Haro' are intended to serve as an entry point, encouraging many people to become interested and creating opportunities to get involved in space development, regardless of their specialized knowledge.