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October 13, 2008 3:10:34 AM CDT

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Space Robot Taking Shape

Posted Mar 14, 08 9:11 AM CDT in Technology,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – Astronauts began assembling a 12-foot robot named Dextre last night outside the international space station. The overnight spacewalking mission hit a slight glitch when the robot failed to power up, but NASA officials expect to resolve it soon, the Houston Chronicle reports. Spacewalks on Saturday and Monday will be needed to finish Dextre, who will then take over much of the space station's construction.

“We don't have our hair on fire, but we're working it," said a NASA spokesman. The robot’s Canadian design team is developing a software patch that should help the robot plug in. The astronauts also installed a Japanese stoarage module to the station, the first part of a new laboratory wing scheduled for completion in May.

Sources Houston Chronicle, Space.com

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This image made from NASA TV Thursday, March 13, 2008, shows astronauts venturing out on the first spacewalk of Endeavour's space station mission yesterday. (AP Photo/NASA-TV)   (AP Photo)
In this image made from NASA TV, Rick Linnehan and Garrett Reisman begin their spacewalk.   (AP Photo)
In this image from NASA TV, mission specialist Garrett Reisman wears an oxygen mask before going for the spacewalk yesterday.   (AP Photo/NASA TV)
In this image made from NASA TV, mission apecialist Rick Linnehan works on the Canadian robot Dextre, Thursday March 13, 2008. (AP Photo/NASA-TV)   (AP Photo)
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NASA  • International Space Station  • space shuttle  • spacewalk  • Dextre  • Kibo  • Endeavor  • Endeavor space shuttle


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