Dec 30 2010
Canadian Space Agency has successfully tested the Dextre robot from the International Space Station. The robot is now ready for operation once a Japanese cargo freighter turns up at the orbiting lab in January 2011.
Carrying a cargo transport container, Dextre completes a crucial test aboard the space station this week.
The Dextre robot shifted a cargo transport container to different stowage location on the truss backbone of the space station. It is placed on the end of the robot arm of the station. The robot clasped a 974-pound cargo carrier and placed it onto a caddy workbench. The Dexter positioned the cargo on one storage rack with accurate alignment and perfection.
The robot is suitable for routine maintenance applications outside the space station. The robot’s arms comprise arm joints and tool-grasping grippers to offer human-like capabilities to it. In addition, the Dextre will relocate two unpressurized payloads from the HTV resupply freighter of Japan to the space station in early 2011.
Source: http://www.nasa.gov/