Remote manipulator system

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View of the RMS from the flight deck of the space shuttle

The Remote Manipulator System (RMS) , also known as Canadarm , is an electromechanical arm on board the space shuttle that can grasp payloads, release them from the cargo bay and anchor them in them. The RMS was first tested on the second shuttle mission ( STS-2 ) in 1981.

construction

The arm is 15.33 meters long, has a diameter of 38 centimeters and has six degrees of freedom . It is attached to the port side in the orbiter's cargo bay with its shoulder joint directly behind the cockpit. Modeled on the human arm, the Canadarm consists of an upper arm, a lower arm and a hand (end effector). The upper arm is 5.18 meters (6.37 meters with the joint), the forearm is 6.10 meters (7.06 meters with the joint) and the hand measures 1.80 meters from the joint to the tip. The arms are made of epoxy resin reinforced with carbon fibers and covered with a layer of aramid fibers for protection . The joints are made of aluminum . The RMS weighs 410 kilograms - the entire system weighs 450 kilograms.

Furnishing

The Canadarm can load and unload up to 29 tons of payload in space , although the motors of the arm could not even move the arm itself under normal earth gravity. The RMS can capture satellites and release them again after the repair. During outboard activities , it can serve as a moving platform for space travelers. In addition, thanks to an integrated camera, it can be used to support inspections of the orbiter or the payload.

control

The RMS is operated by a crew member from the control console in the rear part of the flight deck. A second member assists him with operating the camera. This allows the RMS operator both an overview through the windows on the flight deck of the shuttle and a detailed view of the TV monitors.

OBSS

After the Columbia disaster in spring 2003, the RMS was equipped with the Orbital Boom Sensor System (OBSS). The OBSS is a boom that is attached to the Canadarm. Instruments for checking the exterior of the shuttle and the heat shield are attached to it. The NASA put this system in all his following shuttle missions.

Development and manufacture

Canadian companies built the Canadarm: MDA Space Missions (formerly Spar Aerospace) was entrusted with the planning, production and testing. CAE from Montreal supplied the electronic interfaces, servo amplifiers and the power supply. Dilworth , Secord , Meagher and Associates of Toronto contributed the End Effector. Rockwell International's Space Transportation Systems department developed and tested the system for securing the RMS in the cargo bay of the space shuttle.

exhibition

After the end of the US space shuttle program, NASA, it was decided to exhibit the Canadarm in the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa .

See also

Web links

Commons : Canadarm  - collection of images, videos and audio files