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Space Robot Taking Shape

Astronauts begin assembling Dextre, despite early glitch

By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 14, 2008 9:11 AM CDT
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(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.

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)
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 from NASA TV, mission specialist Garrett Reisman wears an oxygen mask before going for the spacewalk yesterday.
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)
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)
In this image made from NASA TV, Rick Linnehan and Garrett Reisman begin their spacewalk.
In this image made from NASA TV, Rick Linnehan and Garrett Reisman begin their spacewalk.   (AP Photo)
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Follow the mission at NASA
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NASA • space shuttle • International Space Station • Endeavor • spacewalk • Dextre • Kibo

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