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

August 30, 2008 4:06:11 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Spacewalkers Give Dextre Arms

Posted Mar 16, 08 7:31 AM CDT in Science & Health,  Technology 

(Newser) – 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.

"That was pretty impressive," said one of the astronauts working on the 12-foot contraption. "It's really eerie out here, with this white humanoid-looking thing below me—Mr. Roboto." Dextre is so large he must live outside the space station. When he's fully functioning, he will help with construction on the station and cut down on the need for future spacewalks.

Source Houston Chronicle

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

Related Newser Stories

  • 'It's In, Thank God': Astronauts Finish Risky Chore

    Jul 10, 08 5:17 PM CDT
    'It's In, Thank God': Astronauts Finish Risky Chore Two Russian astronauts successfully removed an apparently defective bolt from their Soyuz spacecraft during a risky spacewalk today, the Houston Chronicle reports. The bolt itself packed the punch of an explosive firecracker, so the astronauts had to disconnect it, then stuff it into a steel case. "It's in, thank God," said one of the spacewalkers. More »

  • Discovery Returns to Earth

    Jun 14, 08 12:30 PM CDT
    Discovery Returns to Earth The space shuttle Discovery swooped back to Earth today after successfully expanding the International Space Station, the AP reports. The shuttle’s seven crew members delivered Kibo, the new billion-dollar Japanese science lab, and a pump to repair a broken toilet. Discovery also brought home flight engineer Garret Reisman, who’d talked of missing his wife, calling her “my favorite earthling.” More »

  • Astronaut Waves Robot Arm

    Jun 9, 08 3:25 PM CDT
    Astronaut Waves Robot Arm A Japanese astronaut on board the International Space Station successfully unfolded a massive robotic arm from the newly installed Kibo laboratory today, Reuters reports. The arm moved slightly on Saturday, but today’s extension of the 33-foot device was the first full test, Space.com reports. The Japanese-built robot had nothing to grab; the equipment the arm will tend to arrives next year. More »

  • Astronauts Installing New Lab

    Jun 3, 08 5:04 PM CDT
    Astronauts Installing New Lab Two spacewalking astronauts are preparing the enormous Japanese-made Kibo lab for eventual installation on the International Space Station, the Houston Chronicle reports. After getting a late start this morning because of a communications malfunction, Mike Fossum and Ron Garan sped through their checklists and got back ahead of schedule. The expedition is expected to take almost 7 hours. More »

  • Shuttle Anchors at Space Station

    Jun 2, 08 5:10 PM CDT
    Shuttle Anchors at Space Station NASA's Discovery shuttle hooked up to the international space station today after a 2-day voyage, Space.com reports. Commander Mark Kelly docked at about 2 pm EDT and told the station crew, "We're really looking forward to seeing you guys." "You have no idea how much we're looking forward to seeing you, too," said US astronaut Garrett Reisman. More »

This photo made from NASA TV shows an astronaut outside the space station as he works on putting together Dextre.   (AP Photo/NASA)
This photo made from NASA TV shows astronauts Richard Linnehan and Michael Foreman working on Dextre.   (AP Photo/NASA)
This undated artist's illustration of the Canadian space robot Dextre was released by the Canadian Space Agency in Longueuil, Canada, Friday, March 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Canadian Space Agency via THE CANADIAN PRESS)
This illustration provided by The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) displays "Dextre" (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator).   (AP Photo/Canadian Space Agency)
This photo made from NASA TV shows shuttle astronauts Michael Foreman and Richard Linnehan working on Dextre.   (AP Photo/NASA)
This photo made from NASA TV shows shuttle astronauts Richard Linnehan and Michael Foreman work on Dextre.   (AP Photo/NASA)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 2)

Tags

Canada  • International Space Station  • astronauts  • robot  • Dextre


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other Technology Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »