Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

November 22, 2008 1:29:11 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Shuttle to Launch Giant Robot Into Space

Posted Mar 10, 08 2:05 PM CDT in Science & Health 

(Newser) – When the shuttle Endeavour launches at 2:28am tomorrow, it will carry what has been pure sci-fi until now: a giant space robot. After astronauts assemble it, Canada’s Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, known as “Dextre,” will roam the outside of the International Space Station completing repairs considered too dangerous for spacewalkers, the Houston Chronicle reports.

"When you see it on the side of the space station, it will look like this giant hood ornament, " says one astronaut. The $209 million, 12-foot-tall robot looks a little like Gigantor, with arms stretching 11 feet. “It’s intimidating,” said another astronaut, but “I would not go so far as to say we are worried it will run amok.” Dextre doesn’t think for itself; astronauts will guide it from within the station.

Source Houston Chronicle

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Dextre Moves Into Place, Awaits First Call

    Mar 19, 08 5:10 AM CDT
    Dextre Moves Into Place, Awaits First Call The giant space robot Dextre moved into his new digs last night, and now resides outside the International Space Station's Destiny lab awaiting his first marching orders. Back at Mission Control the mood is buoyant, reports the Houston Chronicle. "That really was the kind of spacewalk that when it's done, you just want to throw your hands up in the air and howl at the moon," said the project's director after the robot was in place. More »

  • Dextre Tooled Up, Good to Go

    Mar 18, 08 8:33 AM CDT
    Dextre Tooled Up, Good to Go Dextre, the colossal space robot, is ready to go and awaiting instructions after astronauts successfully fitted the 12-foot helper with a tool kit and cameras for "eyes" last night, Space.com reports. Dextre is set to take up residence outside the International Space Station's Destiny lab later today and will undergo tests before it is asked to perform major tasks. More »

  • Dextre Stretches His Limbs

    Mar 17, 08 10:30 AM CDT
    Dextre Stretches His Limbs Dextre, the International Space Station’s own gigantic space robot, flexed its mighty arms for the first time last night, the Houston Chronicle reports. Astronauts put the bot through its paces, moving and stopping each of its 14 arm joints. Dextre mostly passed the test; every joint moved perfectly save one, which took longer to brake than expected. More »

  • Spacewalkers Give Dextre Arms

    Mar 16, 08 7:31 AM CDT
    Spacewalkers Give Dextre Arms Dextre the space robot now has arms. Astronauts attached them in an overnight spacewalk outside the International Space Station, the second of three that will be needed to bring the $209 million robot fully to life, the Houston Chronicle reports. On Monday, astronauts will give Dextre a tool belt, lights, and cameras, and he'll be ready to go. More »

  • Dextre Lives! Space Robot Gets Power

    Mar 15, 08 1:46 PM CDT
    Dextre Lives! Space Robot Gets Power Dextre's finally getting some juice. Astronauts aboard the international space station solved a glitch last night and got power flowing to their partially built robot, the AP reports. Now they can go ahead with a spacewalk tonight to finish assembling it. “There was obviously some real concern over the last day or two for getting that powered up,” said one official. More »

Pierre Jean, acting program manager, Canadian Space Station Program addresses the media during the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Dextre Briefing at Kennedy Space Center March 9, 2008 in Cape Canaveral,...   (Getty Images)
This illustration provided by The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) displays "Dextre" (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator). Astronauts bound for orbit this week will dabble in science fiction, assembling...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by NASA, space shuttle Endeavour mission specialist Takao Doi, of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, tries on his helmet during suitup at crew headquarters at the Kennedy Space...   (Associated Press)
A banner by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory is seen near the gate to pad 39A where Space shuttle Endeavour is seen at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Sunday, March 9, 2008. Endeavour...   (Associated Press)
Space Shuttle Eadeavour   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 3)

Tags

Canada • International Space Station • space • robots • Dextre • Endeavor


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Science & Health Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »