Robot buddy to keep Japan astronaut company

A small humanoid robot that can talk will be sent into space to provide conversational company for a Japanese astronaut on a six-month mission, according to new plans.

Space Porch Open for Business

(PhysOrg.com) -- The International Space Station has a new "engawa" -- and it's open for business.

Image: Space station deploys Cubesats

Three nanosatellites, known as Cubesats, are deployed from a Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD) attached to the Kibo laboratory's robotic arm at 7:10 a.m. (EST) on Nov. 19, 2013.