NASA’s humanoid robot unveiled on space station: Astronauts at the International Space Station unpacked Robonaut on March 15th, 2½ weeks after its arrival via shuttle Discovery. NASA broadcast the humorous unveiling ceremony Wednesday. American Catherine Coleman and Italian Paolo Nespoli pried off the lid of the robot’s packing box, as though they were opening a coffin. Robonaut - also known as R2 - was spotted a minute later in front of a work station.