Dextre

The Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator ( SPDM, dt skillful working device for special purposes ) as part of the Mobile Servicing System, a robotic arm system of the International Space Station. Based on the built also under Canadian operated robotic arms of the Space Shuttle ( Canadarm ) and the ISS ( Canadarm2 ) are also the designations Canada hand or Dextre (of dexterity, skill dt ) were used.

The production of the system is part of the Canadian contribution to the ISS and carried out on behalf of the Canadian Space Agency CSA by the robotics department of the company MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates, also known as MD robotics. The implementation of the future operations of the SPDM and the necessary training of the station crew will also be undertaken by the CSA.

Structure and Tasks

Although Dextre is installed at the end of Canadarm2, its functions and duties go far beyond a pure gripping system. The complex facility has also used two highly mobile robotic arms to carry out precise work in space. Both arms each have seven joints, giving them a much higher mobility than all previously used systems. There is a choice of different tools and automatic recordings for other devices at their ends. With the help of this Orbital Replacement Unit / Tool changeout Mechanism ( OTCM ) jaws, extendable Allen and monochrome cameras can be used. To monitor and support the work of the robot arms are adjustable in the base of Dextre headlights and color cameras and a tool platform and a tool holder mounted.

Through the use of Dextre to the ISS the tasks and capabilities of the Mobile Servicing System have been significantly extended because much more precise tasks to be performed by the overall system. The focus of this task lies in the monitoring and operation of experiments in open space, mounted externally on the ISS, and in particular the External Stowage Platforms and experiment support the Japanese space laboratory Kibo (ELM -ES). Moreover, the system is used for monitoring and maintenance of the station and support astronauts during extravehicular activities. In addition, Dextre extends the grasp of the Canadarm2 and can also be stored as required and resumed.

Start

All exercises and tests in the thermal and vacuum space simulators, the CSA have been successfully completed. The system also various electronics and vibration tests was subjected to simulate the extreme conditions during transport to the ISS. Dextre was launched on 11 March 2008 with the mission STS -123 to the ISS and installed on 18 March 2008 on the robot arm.

Others

Due to the limited contingent of still available Space Shuttle missions fared in 2004 a NASA study on the use of an unmanned use of Dextre or another similar system for repair and maintenance of the aging Hubble Space Telescope. On 31 October 2006, however, NASA said at a press conference that with STS -125 a manned servicing mission to the Hubble telescope is performed, and the idea for an unmanned operation is not pursued. The first regular use of Dextre is now planned in January 2011 when unloading the external load of the Japanese transporter HTV -2.