NASA space shuttle, Endeavour’s crew members spent one whole day in orbit to evaluate the thermal safety system of the ship.
The astronauts examined the heat cover for any damage associated with the launch. They used an Orbiter Boom Sensor device, which was connected to the 50ft robotic arm of the ship. This inspection is conducted with lasers and cameras and gives the crew members three-dimensional images of the wings and nose of the ship to ensure that there is no damage due to the launch.
The robotic arm of the space shuttle is used for performing a wide range of activities. According to the sources from Computer World, Endeavour’s astronauts use the system frequently to ferry themselves during spacewalks and to deliver machinery to the space station.
The objective of the mission was to transport sensitive machines, costing millions of dollars, to the space station. The space shuttle’s cargo includes parts for the robotic spacewalker called Dextre, an S-band communications antenna, and the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer. It also includes three small satellite models developed to gather information on solar winds.
Source: http://www.nasa.gov