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Science Blog ZINC PROJECTS

Canadian two-armed robot comes alive on Space Station

Date: 23-Mar-08
Author: Canadian Space Agency

After a picture-perfect night launch on March 11 and three spacewalks to assemble it, Dextre was activated today. Canada's advanced, two-armed robot is now successfully installed on the International Space Station and ready for action.

Now that Dextre is installed, Canada's Mobile Servicing System, an innovative suite of space robotics on the International Space Station, is complete. Dextre can be carried by two elements, the mobile base and Canadarm2, or move independently. Dextre adds robotic tools and a range of fine manipulation abilities to construction and maintenance operations on the Space Station, which is now much larger than in 2001 when Canadarm2 was installed. Dextre will accelerate assembly activities on the Station.

At the center of the image is the newly installed and activated two-armed robot Dextre which is in the grasp of Canadarm2, the robotic arm of the International Space Station. These two arms are part of the Mobile Servicing System that the Canadian Space Agency contributes to the space station project. Part of the solar array panels (right) and a section of a station truss (left) are also visible. Courtesy: NASA
(Click on image for larger version)

Over the next few months, the two-armed robot will be heavily tested to validate its performance. The addition of Dextre means that astronauts can spend less time on spacewalks and more time inside the International Space Station on microgravity science and industrial research.

Full story: It's Alive! Dextre Flexes its Muscles, Gets Ready to Work on the International Space Station