Field Journal

The Robotic Arm

By John Rau
April 13, 2001

On April 19, 2001, The Space Shuttle Endeavour will be blasting off from Kennedy Space Center Florida. Its mission will be to deliver the Muti-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello, the second of three different modules to be launched into space. Its cargo will include stage one of Canada's main contribution to the International Space Station (ISS), The Mobile Servicing System. This robotic system will allow astronauts to do routine maintenance, move equipment around and help assemble the station, cutting down on time consuming and risky space walks. This robotic system is expected to be fully operational at the end of 2003.


Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS)

The Remote Manipulator system (or Robotic Arm) will move around the station like the way an inchworm walks down a tree branch. The Arm is 56S feet long and can latch onto anything within its reach. For instance if the orbiter needs help docking, the arm can assist by inch worming down the station to the orbiters position, and then extend out and latch onto the spacecraft and pull it in for docking. The Robotic arm, will have an attachment called the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM). Which is a robotic system with sensitive manipulators that will handle smaller tasks and will almost be as accurate and precise as a human hand. The primary function of the (SPDM) is to carry out assignments that would normally be assigned to an astronaut during a space walk. It is equipped with a light source, video cameras and tools such as pliers and wrenches that are needed to accomplish smaller tasks on the ISS. The SPDM will mainly be attached to the Mobile Base System (MBS), a working platform that moves up and down the ISS on a rail type track, which will allow the SPDM to reach vital areas along the main trusses.


Canadian Robotic Arm at the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF)

Before the Robotic Arm can be placed in the cargo bay of a shuttle and then launched into space, it will need to be tested and inspected by engineers and technicians at the SSPF. These workers make sure that before it is attached to the ISS it is in perfect working order. About a week ago I had the unique pleasure of filming a short 10 minute clip of the Robtic Arm at the SSPF.

Thomas Young, an Assistant Program Manager for Macdonald Dettwiler (a Canadian company that works for the Canadian Space Agency) was kind enough to spend an few minutes narrating a short film on the Canadian Robotic Arm.