The Canadian Robot Dextre has completed its first maintenance task on the International Space Station (ISS) this week. The R2 robotic handyman replaced an electrical switchboard outside the complex over Sunday and Monday. The entire process took 29 hours to complete.
The choreographed sequence of movements and commands were controlled by engineers in Houston with supporting teams in Canada also assisting. The robot successfully removed a broken circuit-breaker box from the outside of the orbiting laboratory and replaced it with a new one. The repairs have been previously conducted by spacesuit clad astronauts conducting spacewalks.
NASA officials released a statement saying that the robot swapped the failed component for a fresh one, thereby restoring part of the orbiting lab's backup electrical systems. The statement went on to say that the maneuver marks the first time Dextre replaced defective equipment on the Station.
Dextre is a 11.5 feet tall, tool wielding mechanical device who can be seen as the future of mechanical repairs on the Interactional Space Station in the future. The 15 nation partnership is trying to cut back on spacewalking by astronauts so that they can focus on scientific research and technical demonstrations.
If the robots can take over standard repairs, like Dextre replaced this electrical circuit, this will add considerably to their free time. Dextre’s nect mission is to move to the station’s starboard truss and the Express Logistics Carrier 4, an external equipment storage platform. The robot will transfer the RRM to the carrier platform on Sept. 2.