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Nasa: Robots 'essential' to Endeavour Mission's Success
Endeavour's robot arm appears amidst elements of the International Space Station.
Credit: NASA
Robots have a vital role on the space shuttle Endeavour's mission to install two new pieces of the International Space Station. Robotics technology is a critical part of the effort to build the space station, says NASA's Scott Wenger.
The station's primary robotic arm, called Canadarm II, reached into the shuttle's cargo bay and lifted out a 50-foot boom equipped with a camera. Canadarm II then handed the boom to the shuttle's robotic arm, which held it while the space shuttle docked with the space station. The station's robotic arm is slated to attach a new node to the space station, Wenger says. Canadarm II also will separate the cupola from the new node and move it to its own place on the space station.
"We couldn't get this work done without the robotic arms," Wenger says.
From Computerworld
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