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

September 6, 2008 2:19:17 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Dextre Stretches His Limbs

Posted Mar 17, 08 10:30 AM CDT in US,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – 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.

Canada’s space agency, which created Dextre, is confident that more use will smooth out the joint problem. “We are ready to bring Dextre to life,” joked one astronaut. The robot isn’t quite complete, however. A spacewalk tonight will finish the job, arming Dextre with a toolbelt and tools. Then, Dextre will await his first assignment, which might not come until next spring.

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 »

Graphic gives details about NASA's Dextre robot.   (AP Photo)
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 photo shows shuttle astronaut Michael Foreman, left, and astronaut Richard Linnehan work outside the international space station putting together Dextre.   (AP Photo/NASA)
An astronaut outside the international space station works on putting together Dextre, the gigantic walking and working machine on Saturday March 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/NASA)
Astronauts Michael Foreman and Richard Linnehan work on putting together Dextre, the final element of the station's Mobile Servicing System.   (AP Photo/NASA)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 3)

Tags

NASA  • International Space Station  • space  • astronauts  • spacewalk  • robot  • Dextre


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other Science & Health 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 »