JOONAS (aka J.O.O.N.A.S.) is a $20,000 automated cleaning robot in Moon Sweepers that travels across the Moon, clears dirty sectors, and launches collected dust capsules toward the nearest Capsule Catcher. Unlike regular Robot Vacuums, JOONAS isn't restricted to a small cleaning area around a dock.
You'll also need a Capsule Catcher, which costs $1,500, to receive the capsules and move them into your conveyor network. JOONAS can clean without being manually controlled, although a known bug can cause it to stop working when you travel too far away.
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How to Use JOONAS
Capsule Catcher Setup
JOONAS Not Working Fix
Is JOONAS Worth Buying?
How to Use JOONAS in Moon Sweepers
JOONAS is a six-armed autonomous sweeper that moves between dirty sectors and cleans them one at a time. When its dust container fills, it launches a capsule toward a Capsule Catcher and continues its cleaning cycle.
Each JOONAS costs $20,000. Before buying one, make sure you have enough money for the Capsule Catcher and a working conveyor route to handle the collected dust.
- Save $20,000 to purchase JOONAS.
- Purchase a Capsule Catcher for another $1,500.
- Place the Capsule Catcher near your existing conveyor network.
- Connect its output to a conveyor belt leading to your Depot or production line.
- Deploy JOONAS near dirty sectors that still need cleaning.
- Watch JOONAS move between sectors and collect dust automatically.
- When JOONAS launches a capsule, check that it reaches the Capsule Catcher.
- Follow the capsule through your conveyor system to confirm it's being delivered correctly.
The minimum equipment cost is $21,500 for one JOONAS and one Capsule Catcher, excluding conveyors and other construction expenses.
Once everything is working, JOONAS handles the sweeping and capsule launching. You don't need to drive it, manually package its dust, or return to the Depot after every collection.
How to Set Up the Capsule Catcher for JOONAS
The Capsule Catcher receives the dust capsules launched by JOONAS. You can connect its output to a conveyor belt and send the material directly to the Depot or into a processing system.
A simple setup looks like this:
JOONAS → Capsule Catcher → Conveyor Belt → Depot
If you already have a Pressure Chamber or Stone Press production line, you can route the catcher's output into that system instead.
For your first setup, connect the Capsule Catcher directly to the Depot and confirm it receives capsules correctly. You can expand the route once the basic system works.
JOONAS Sends Capsules to the Nearest Capsule Catcher
JOONAS automatically targets the closest Capsule Catcher when launching dust. This also applies when multiple JOONAS robots are cleaning different areas.
For example, if you have three JOONAS robots working near the same base, they may all send their capsules to one catcher instead of distributing them evenly across several catchers.
This matters when your catchers connect to different production lines.
If you want more dust going toward a particular factory, check which Capsule Catcher is closest to the robots doing the cleaning. Building another catcher doesn't guarantee that capsules will be split between them.
You can adjust catcher placement to influence where capsules are delivered. Check the results before committing to additional conveyor construction.
Do You Need a Capsule Catcher for JOONAS?
Yes, if you want to collect and sell the capsules JOONAS launches automatically.
JOONAS fires a capsule when its dust container fills, while the Capsule Catcher handles receiving that capsule and transferring it into your logistics network.
Without a working catcher, you won't have a reliable automated route for collecting those launched capsules.
Make sure the catcher and its conveyor output are ready before relying on JOONAS to generate money.
Moon Sweepers JOONAS Not Working Fix
If JOONAS stops cleaning or you aren't receiving any capsules, check whether the robot is still operating before changing your conveyor setup.
| Problem | What to Check |
|---|---|
| JOONAS stops after you leave the area | Return nearby and check whether it resumes cleaning. |
| JOONAS is cleaning but no capsules arrive | Check which Capsule Catcher is closest and receiving launches. |
| Capsules reach the wrong factory | Check the placement of your Capsule Catchers. |
| Capsules reach the catcher but stop | Inspect the outgoing conveyor connection. |
| Capsules arrive at the Depot but aren't paying correctly | Update the game and check the Depot intake. |
JOONAS Stops Cleaning When You Move Too Far Away
JOONAS has a known bug that can cause it to stop operating when players move too far from its location.
The robot may work normally while you're standing nearby, then stop making progress after you travel to another part of the Moon.
If you suspect this is happening, return to JOONAS and watch whether it starts cleaning again. You can also check whether new capsules begin arriving at your Capsule Catcher.
DragDrop Games acknowledged the distance-related problem on October 24, 2026, and identified it as a priority for future updates. Patch 1.0.3 did not include a confirmed fix for the issue.
There is currently no verified setting or workaround that guarantees JOONAS will keep cleaning regardless of your distance from it.
JOONAS Is Cleaning but No Dust Is Reaching the Depot
If JOONAS is moving and launching capsules, the robot itself may be working correctly.
First, check which Capsule Catcher receives the launched capsules. If you have more than one, they may be going to a different catcher than expected.
Next, inspect the outgoing conveyor belt. Make sure it connects to the correct receiving port and continues all the way to your Depot or processing equipment.
If the capsules enter a Pressure Chamber or Stone Press, check that the machine has sufficient power, the required materials, and a working output.
Patch 1.0.3 also corrected an issue where material delivered by conveyors wasn't receiving the proper displayed payout at the Depot.
For help with belt direction, connections, and blocked routes, check our Moon Sweepers Conveyor Belt Guide.
Is JOONAS Worth Buying in Moon Sweepers?
JOONAS is designed for late-game automation, when you want robots cleaning new sectors without having to operate every vehicle yourself.
Its main advantage over regular Robot Vacuums is movement. Robot Vacuum Mk I covers 19 hexes around its dock, while Mk II covers 37. Once those areas are cleaned, the robots can't simply travel across the Moon looking for more work.
JOONAS can move between dirty sectors instead of remaining within a fixed dock area.
However, the $20,000 cost is a major investment, particularly when you also need a Capsule Catcher and a working delivery network.
The distance-related bug also means JOONAS isn't currently guaranteed to operate continuously while you're exploring elsewhere.
Should You Buy Multiple JOONAS Robots?
Start with one JOONAS before spending another $20,000 on a second unit.
Watch it complete several cleaning and delivery cycles. Make sure its capsules are arriving at the intended catcher and that it keeps working when you move to another area.
With several JOONAS robots, the nearest-catcher mechanic becomes especially important. Multiple robots can send capsules to the same catcher, so your production line needs to handle the incoming material.
Buying more JOONAS units also won't automatically solve the distance-related stopping issue.
If you already have reliable conveyors, enough money to spare, and a way to collect the launched capsules, JOONAS can help expand your automated cleaning operation. Until its reliability improves, it's better used alongside your existing vehicles and cleaning robots rather than as your only method of clearing the Moon.
