AstraQua Secures NASA Contract to Develop Self-Aware Robots
News related to:AstraQua Inc · 2 min read
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 21, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- AstraQua Inc, a physical AI company, has secured a $1.274 million Phase II contract from NASA to advance its AstraSense technology for electric and hybrid-electric aircraft, including advanced air mobility applications. This contract builds on the company's Phase I work, which demonstrated real-time diagnostics and predictive health capabilities for autonomous systems.
According to Loay Elbasyouni, the founder and CEO of AstraQua, the new contract is a significant step in developing self-awareness for robots.
AstraSense, powered by AstraQua's Agentic Physical AI, provides predictive health and operational self-awareness for autonomous systems. The technology is designed to help machines understand their own condition and make safer decisions, particularly as autonomous vehicles increasingly operate over populated areas.
Elbasyouni's background in aerospace and defense is evident in his leadership of the project. He previously led electrical and power-electronics work supporting NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, the first aircraft to achieve powered, controlled flight on another planet. He was also named among LA Times Studios' 2026 Aerospace & Defense Business Visionaries.
The new contract aims to advance AstraSense within AstraQua's broader effort to help autonomous systems work together. The technology will enable machines to share health information and adapt their operations based on their current condition. For instance, in an industrial inspection scenario, drones could survey a site while ground robots inspect equipment. If one ground robot needs to stop, another suitably equipped robot could take over its remaining tasks while the drones continue their work.
AstraQua's approach emphasizes low-power onboard intelligence, reduced dependence on continuous cloud connectivity, and decisions that account for each machine's health and operating limits. The company's goal is to help mixed teams of robots adapt and complete a shared mission, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
The contract is part of AstraQua's broader mission to develop Agentic Physical AI that helps autonomous machines perceive, reason, adapt, and collaborate across air, land, sea, and space. The company's technology is designed to help intelligent machines work together with or without continuous connectivity, making it a valuable asset in the rapidly evolving field of advanced air mobility.