How Big Is Dextre?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Technical name Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM)
Height


3.70 m

Width (excluding arms)


2.37 m

Length of each arm


3.51 m

Mass


1,710 kg

What is Dextre space?

Dextre is

a versatile robot that maintains the International Space Station (ISS)

. Part of Canada’s contribution to the Station, it is the most sophisticated space robot ever built.

How much does Dextre cost?

The problem was both embarrassing and potentially expensive for the Canadian Space Agency, as Dextre cost

$200 million

. Without power to heat itself outside of the warm confines of the International Space Station, the freezing temperatures of space would damage the robot.

What does a Dextre do?

Dextre is a

space handyman

with a mission: keep the International Space Station (ISS) ship-shape. Dextre’s role is to perform maintenance work and repairs like changing batteries and replacing cameras outside the ISS.

What is the Canadarm2 made of?

Canadarm2 is 17.6 m (58 ft) when fully extended and has seven motorized joints (an ‘elbow’ hinge in the middle, and three rotary joints at each of the ‘wrist/shoulder’ ends). It has a mass of 1,800 kg (4,000 lb) and a diameter of 35 cm (14 in) and is made from

titanium

.

How much did the Canadarm2 cost?

It was Canada’s contribution to the U.S. Space Shuttle Program. NASA has since ordered four more units, at a cost of

about $600 million

. Canadarm 2, is now a significant component aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Why are robots used in space?

Sending a robot to space is also

much cheaper than sending a human

. Robots don’t need to eat or sleep or go to the bathroom. They can survive in space for many years and can be left out there—no need for a return trip! … Robots can also be built to do things that would be too risky or impossible for astronauts.

Is the Canadarm still used?

While

the Canadarm retired in July 2011

(following the Space Shuttle Program’s final mission), its legacy lives on: it established Canada’s reputation as a leader in technological innovation and inspired a series of other Canadian robotics used on the International Space Station, including Canadarm2.

Who are the 9 Canadian astronauts?

Name Launch Vehicle Launch date Marc Garneau Endeavour November 30, 2000 Chris Hadfield Endeavour April 19, 2001 Steven MacLean Atlantis September 9, 2006 Dafydd Williams Endeavour August 27, 2007

How have space robots helped our lives on earth?

Historically, the role of robotics in space exploration has been significant due

to the uninhabitable conditions of non-terrestrial planets in the solar system

. … As technology progressively allows robots to reach space faster, humans are able to obtain significantly more data about conditions in space.

What sensors does Dextre have?

  • a 3D mapping laser.
  • a high-definition video camera, with powerful LED lights.
  • an infrared, night-vision camera.

What is the name of the first privately owned spacecraft to travel to and from the ISS?

30 May 2020– SpaceX successfully launches a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Demo space capsule during the

Demo-2

mission, marking the first privately-developed crewed mission to orbit and to visit the ISS.

How much did the mobile base system cost?

The helper robot, which cost

more than $200 million

, is the final piece of a three-element mobile service system for the station sponsored by Canada and developed by MacDonald, Dettwiler & Associates Ltd., in Brampton, Ontario.

Who installed Canadarm2?

Canadarm2 was launched aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on April 19, 2001. Three days later,

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield

and NASA astronaut Scott Parazynski attached the robotic arm to the International Space Station ( ISS ).

What did Canadarm2 replace?

Spacewalking astronauts gave the International Space Station’s big robot arm a new hand Thursday. NASA Commander Randy Bresnik and Mark Vande Hei floated out around 8 a.m. ET and stayed out for nearly seven hours to replace

one of two Latching End Effectors (LEE)

on the Canadarm2.

What is the difference between Canadarm 1 and 2?

Unlike the original Canadarm, which is mounted just outside a shuttle’s payload bay,

Canadarm2 won’t be tied down to one spot

. Each end of the new arm has a hand that can grasp an anchor on the space station. By flipping end-over-end between anchor points, Canadarm2 can move around the ISS like an inchworm.

Charlene Dyck
Author
Charlene Dyck
Charlene is a software developer and technology expert with a degree in computer science. She has worked for major tech companies and has a keen understanding of how computers and electronics work. Sarah is also an advocate for digital privacy and security.