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{{Short description|Robotic arm used on Space Shuttles}}
]
{{about|the robotic arm on the ]|the robotic arm on the ]|Mobile Servicing System}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox spacecraft instrument
| Name = Shuttle Remote Manipulator System
| Image = Canadarm 1 - STS-72.jpg
| Caption = Canadarm (right) during Space Shuttle mission ]
| Operator = ]
| Manufacturer = ]
| Type = ]
| Webpage = {{URL|http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/canadarm/default.asp}}
| Mass = {{Unbulleted list
| '''Arm:''' {{cvt|410|kg}}
| '''Total:''' {{cvt|450|kg}}
}}
| Dimensions = {{cvt|1520|x|38|cm}}
| Number = 5
| Spacecraft = ]
| SC_Operator = ]
| Launch_Site = ] ]
}}


The '''Shuttle Remote Manipulator System''' ('''SRMS'''), or '''Canadarm''' (Canadarm 1), is a ] used on the ] to maneuver a payload from the payload bay of the orbiter to its deployment position and then release it. It can also grapple a free-flying payload, maneuver it to the payload bay of the orbiter and berth it in the orbiter. It was first used on the second ] mission ], launched ], ]. Since the ] of ] during ], ] has outfitted the SRMS with the ], a boom containing instruments to inspect the exterior of the shuttle for damage to the ]. It is expected the SRMS will play this role in all future shuttle missions. '''Canadarm''' or '''Canadarm1''' (officially '''Shuttle Remote Manipulator System''' or '''SRMS''', also '''SSRMS''') is a series of ]s that were used on the ] orbiters to deploy, manoeuvre, and capture ]s. After the ], the Canadarm was always paired with the ] (OBSS), which was used to inspect the exterior of the shuttle for damage to the ].


==Specifications== == Development ==
]
The SRMS arm is 15.2 ]s (50 ] 3 ]) long and 38 ]s (15 inches) in diameter and has six ]. It ] 410 ] (905 ]s), and the total system weighs 450 kg (994 lb). The SRMS has six joints that correspond roughly to the joints of the human arm, with shoulder yaw and pitch joints; an elbow pitch joint; and wrist pitch, yaw, and roll joints. The end effector is the unit at the end of the wrist that actually grabs, or grapples, the payload. The two lightweight boom segments are called the upper and lower arms. The upper boom connects the shoulder and elbow joints, and the lower boom connects the elbow and wrist joints. The SRMS arm attaches to the orbiter payload bay longeron at the shoulder manipulator positioning mechanism. Power and data connections are located at the shoulder MPM.


In 1969, ] was invited by the ] (NASA) to participate in the ].<ref name="25Years">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YzVPAAAAMAAJ|title=A Heritage of Excellence: 25 years at Spar Aerospace Limited|last=Dotto|first=Lydia|date=1992|publisher=Spar Aerospace Limited|others=David Steel |isbn=0-9696618-0-0|location=Canada|pages=41–42|quote= Mee is the inventor of the Canadarm hand, technically known as the "end effector.}}</ref> At the time what that participation would entail had not yet been decided but a manipulator system was identified as an important component.<ref name=25Years/> Canadian company ] ATCON had developed a robot to load fuel into ]; this robot attracted NASA's attention.<ref name=25Years/> In 1975, NASA and the ] (NRC) signed a memorandum of understanding that Canada would develop and construct the Canadarm.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CqI6waJAUnEC|title=Browsing Science Research at the Federal Level in Canada: History, Research Activities and Publications|last=Wilks|first=Brian|date=2004|publisher=University of Toronto Press|pages=117|isbn=9780802088116|access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref>
==Capabilities==
] hands the P3/P4 Truss segment to the ] on the ] during ].]]
The SRMS is capable of deploying or retrieving payloads ] up to 29 ]s (65,000 pounds) in space, though the arm motors are unable to lift the arm's own weight when on the ground. The SRMS can also retrieve, repair and deploy satellites; provide a mobile extension ladder for extravehicular activity crew members for work stations or foot restraints; and be used as an inspection aid to allow the flight crew members to view the orbiter's or payload's surfaces through a television camera on the SRMS.


NRC awarded the manipulator contract to ] (now ]).<ref name="UofAEngMag"/> Three systems were constructed within this design, development, test, and evaluation contract: an engineering model to assist in the design and testing of the Canadarm, a qualification model that was subjected to environmental testing to qualify the design for use in space, and a flight unit.
The basic SRMS configuration consists of a manipulator arm; an SRMS display and control panel, including rotational and translational hand controllers at the orbiter aft flight deck flight crew station; and a manipulator controller interface unit that interfaces with the orbiter computer. Most of the time the arm operators see what they are doing by looking at the ] screen next to the controllers.


===End effector===
One flight crew member operates the SRMS from the aft flight deck control station, and a second flight crew member usually assists with television camera operations. This allows the SRMS operator to view SRMS operations through the aft flight deck payload and overhead windows and through the closed-circuit television monitors at the aft flight deck station.
Anthony "Tony" Zubrzycki, a design engineer at DSMA ATCON,<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Make The Wind Blow|last=Melbourne|first=James V.|publisher=Heirloom Publishing Inc.|year=2001|isbn=0-9694247-8-7|pages=62–77}}</ref> while seconded to SPAR, originated the concept for the Canadarm End Effector, inspired by an elastic band around his fingers.<ref name=":0"/> Zubrzycki formally presented this concept to NASA officials.<ref name=":0"/> Frank Mee, head of the SPAR mechanical development laboratory, built the end effector prototype<!--At his home, he fabricated a small model made out of cardboard and string; and brought it to work.<ref name=25Years/>--> based on Tony's concept and is credited by SPAR<ref name=":0"/> as the inventor of the Canadarm End Effector. The three-wire crossover design won over the claw-like mechanisms and others, such as the camera iris model,<ref name=":0"/> that were being considered.


===Controls and software===
==Development==
] Ltd., a ] company, designed, developed, tested and built the SRMS. (SPAR was later indirectly acquired by Richmond, ] based ], after going through the hands of American company Orbital Sciences Corp. and becoming a part of MD Robotics in Ontario, Canada.) The main controls algorithms were subcontracted to ] Inc. of ]. ] Ltd. in ] provides electronic interfaces, servoamplifiers and power conditioners. ] Ltd. in Toronto is responsible for the SRMS end effector. ]'s Space Transportation Systems Division designed, developed, tested and built the systems used to attach the SRMS to the payload bay of the orbiter. The main control algorithms were developed by SPAR and by subcontractor ] of ]. ] in ] provided the display and control panel and the hand controllers located in the Shuttle aft flight deck. Other electronic interfaces, servo amplifiers, and power conditioners located on the Canadarm were designed and built by SPAR at its Montreal factory. The graphite composite boom that provides the structural connection between the shoulder and the elbow joint and the similar boom that connects the elbow to the wrist were produced by ] in the ]. Dilworth, Secord, Meagher and Associates, Ltd. in Toronto was contracted to produce the engineering model end effector then SPAR evolved the design and produced the qualification and flight units. The Space Shuttle flight software that monitors and controls the Canadarm was developed in ], by the Federal Systems Division of ]. ]'s Space Transportation Systems Division designed, developed, tested, and built the systems used to attach the Canadarm to the payload bay of the orbiter.


An acceptance ceremony for NASA was held at Spar's RMS Division in Toronto on 11 February 1981.<ref name=25Years/> Here ], then the head of the NRC, gave the SRMS the informal name, Canadarm. The term was originally coined by Dr. Wally Cherwinski for use by Larkin Kerwin during his speech at the press conference.<ref name=25Years/> The NRC Canadarm Project Manager, Dr. Art Hunter, worked with colleagues, NASA and Spar, to add the Canadian flag and wordmark onto the arm to fly Canadian colours with those of the USA.
There were five arms built and delivered to KSC. Arm 201, 202, 301, 302, and 303. Arm 302 was lost in the Challenger accident.]


The first Canadarm was delivered to NASA in April 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ieee.ca/millennium/canadarm/canadarm_technical.html|title=The Shuttle Remote Manipulator System – The Canadarm |publisher=IEEE Canada|access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref> Astronaut ] developed the NASA ] and onboard operating procedures for the system.<ref>''Engineering Women: Re-visioning Women's Scientific Achievements and Impacts'', By Jill S. Tietjen, Springer 2016, page 72</ref> In all, five arms – Nos. 201, 202, 301, 302, and 303 – were built and delivered to NASA. Arm 302 was lost in the ''Challenger'' accident.<ref name="canadarm">{{cite web|url=http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/canadarm/flight.asp|publisher=Canada Space Agency|title=Flight History of Canadarm|date=28 October 2011
==Usage==
|access-date=27 October 2012}}</ref>
] during ].]]
Since its first usage during ] in ] on ], the SRMS has been used on over 50 shuttle missions. It was first flown on ] during ] in ]. Then in ] it was first used aboard ] during ], Discovery's first flight. It was used on ] first during ]. The SRMS onboard ] was lost during the ] in ]. It was then first used on ] during ] (her first flight).


== Design and capabilities ==
Since the installation of the ] on the ], the two arms have been used to hand over segments of the station for assembly from the SRMS to the Canadarm2; the use of both elements in tandem has earned the nickname of 'Canadian Handshake' in the media.
], anchored on the end of the Canadarm, prepares to be elevated to the top of the Hubble Space Telescope during ].]]


The original Canadarm was capable of deploying payloads ] up to {{convert|65,000|lb}} in space.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Demeo |first1=M.E. |title=REMOTE MANIPULATOR SYSTEM (RMS)- BASED CONTROLS-STRUCTURES INTERACTION(CSI) FLIGHT EXPERIMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY |date=January 1990 |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19900007820.pdf}}</ref> In the mid-1990s, the arm control system was redesigned to increase the payload capability to {{convert|586,000|lb}} in order to support space station assembly operations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Space Shuttle Canadarm Robotic Arm Marks 25 Years in Space |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/rms_anniversary.html}}</ref> While able to maneuver payloads with the mass of a loaded bus in space, the arm motors cannot lift the arm's own weight when on the ground.<ref name="UofAEngMag"/> NASA, therefore, developed a model of the arm for use at its training facility within the ] located in ]. The Canadarm can also retrieve, repair and deploy satellites, provide a mobile extension ladder for ] crew members for work stations or foot restraints, and be used as an inspection aid to allow the flight crew members to view the orbiter's or payload's surfaces through a television camera on the Canadarm.
Following the ], the SRMS has been used on every space shuttle flight to inspect the heat shield for damage that may have been caused during launch. It is likely that the arm will be a part of all future shuttle missions.


The basic Canadarm configuration consists of a manipulator arm, a Canadarm display, and a control panel, including rotational and translational hand controllers at the orbiter aft flight deck flight crew station, and a manipulator controller interface unit that interfaces with the orbiter computer. One crew member operates the Canadarm from the aft flight deck control station, and a second crew member usually assists with television camera operations. This allows the Canadarm operator to view Canadarm operations through the aft flight deck payload and overhead windows and through the closed-circuit television monitors at the aft flight deck station.
==See also==
{{portalpar|Robotics|Animation2.gif}}
*], a robotic arm that is part of the ]'s ]
*], a second robotic arm to be installed on the ISS
*]


The Canadarm is outfitted with an explosive-based mechanism to allow the arm to be jettisoned. This safety system would have allowed the Orbiter's payload bay doors to be closed in the event that the arm failed in an extended position and was not able to be retracted.<ref name=UofAEngMag>{{cite news|author=Garry Lindberg|title=Canadarm and its U of A Connections |url=http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/uofaengineer/article.cfm?article=28369&issue=28299|work=U of A Engineer Magazine|publisher=University of Alberta|access-date=7 December 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041129001731/http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/uofaengineer/article.cfm?article=28369&issue=28299|archive-date=29 November 2004}}</ref>
==External links==


The Canadarm is {{convert|15.2|m}} long and {{convert|38|cm}} diameter with six ]. It weighs {{convert|410|kg}} by itself, and {{convert|450|kg}} as part of the total system. The Canadarm has six joints that correspond roughly to the joints of the human arm, with shoulder yaw and pitch joints, an elbow pitch joint, and wrist pitch, yaw, and roll joints.<ref name=CSA-structure/> The ] is the unit at the end of the wrist that grapples the payload's ]. The two lightweight boom segments are called the upper and lower arms. The upper boom connects the shoulder and elbow joints, and the lower boom connects the elbow and wrist joints.<ref name=sts-caws>{{Cite web |url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/sts-caws.html#sts-deploy |title=''RMS: PAYLOAD DEPLOYMENT AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM'' |access-date=20 February 2007 |archive-date=31 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231022452/http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/sts-caws.html#sts-deploy |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=CSA-structure>{{Cite web |url=https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/canadarm/description.asp |title=''The structure of Canadarm'' |access-date=19 May 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610214422/https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/canadarm/description.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/sts-caws.html#sts-deploy

* http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/exploration/canadarm/default.asp
== Service history ==
*
] on the end of the arm, 1993]]
].]]

A simulated Canadarm installed on the {{OV|101}} was seen when the prototype orbiter's payload bay doors were open to test hangar facilities early in the Space Shuttle program.<ref>{{cite news|first=Justin |last=Ray|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d352/omcf/|title=Vandenberg's space shuttle hangar|date=5 January 2011|work=Spaceflight Now|access-date=27 October 2012}}</ref> The Canadarm was first tested in orbit in 1981, on {{OV|102}}'s ] mission. Its first operational use was on ] to deploy and manoeuvre the Plasma Diagnostics Package.<ref name="canadarm"/> Canadarm subsequently flew on more than 90 missions with all five orbiters.

Since the installation of the ] on the ] (ISS), the two arms have been used to hand over segments of the station for assembly from the orbiter's Canadarm to the Canadarm2; the use of both elements in tandem has earned the nickname of "Canadian Handshake" in the media.<ref>{{cite web |title=Coming to space: A Canadarm handshake? |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/coming-to-space-a-canadarm-handshake-1.573426 |website=CBC News |access-date=27 January 2024 |date=11 Aug 2006}}</ref>

=== Retirement ===
The Canadarm's 90th and final Shuttle mission was in July 2011 on ], delivering the ] ] to the ISS and back. It is on display with ''Atlantis'' at the ]. ''Discovery'''s Canadarm is displayed next to it in the ].<ref name=chrisg>{{cite news|author=Chris Gebhardt|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/11/discoverys-retirement-provide-insight-fate-fleets-robotic-arms/|title=Discovery's retirement plans provide insight into the fate of the robotic arm|date=17 November 2010|publisher=NASASpaceflight|access-date=27 October 2012}}</ref> ''Endeavour'' left its OBSS at the International Space Station as part of its ], while its Canadarm was originally going to be displayed in the headquarters of the ] (CSA).<ref name=chrisg/> However, ''Endeavour''{{'}}s Canadarm is now on permanent display at the ] in ].<ref>{{cite news|author=Andy Johnson|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/unveiling-exhibit-hadfield-sends-first-canadarm-last-command-from-space-1.1263958|title=Unveiling exhibit, Hadfield sends first Canadarm 'last command' from space|date=2 May 2013|work=CTV News|access-date=2 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Elizabeth Howell|url=http://www.space.com/20949-space-shuttle-canadarm-museum-exhibit.html|title=Space Shuttle's Robotic Arm Goes on Display at Canadian Museum|date=2 May 2013|work=Space.com|access-date=2 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Canadian Space Agency|url=http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/media/news_releases/2013/0502.asp|title=Minister Moore Unveils Exhibit for Canada's National Space Icon: the Canadarm|date=2 May 2013|work=Canadian Space Agency|access-date=1 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506062113/http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/media/news_releases/2013/0502.asp|archive-date=6 May 2013}}</ref> The last of the Canadarms to fly in space, the SRMS flown aboard ''Atlantis'' on STS-135 in July 2011, was shipped to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston for engineering study and possible reuse on a future mission.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-050213a.html|title=Canadarm on display: Space shuttle robot arm unveiled at Canadian museum|date=2 May 2013}}</ref>

== Derivatives ==

=== Canadarm2 ===
{{main|Canadarm2}}
Based on the Canadarm1, the larger ] is used for berthing the trusses, berthing the commercial vehicles, and inspecting the whole ].

=== Canadarm3 ===
{{main|Canadarm3}}
The smaller Canadarm3 will be used for berthing the modules and inspecting the ].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Semeniuk|first1=Ivan|title=Canada's space program sets new course with historic commitment to lunar outpost|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canada-is-going-to-the-moon-trudeau-announces-canada-will-join-the/|access-date=3 March 2019|work=]|date=28 February 2019|location=Toronto}}</ref> In June 2024, the full contract for design and construction of the arm was awarded to ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agency |first=Canadian Space |date=2024-06-27 |title=Canada begins detailed design, construction and testing of Canadarm3 for Gateway |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/space-agency/news/2024/06/canada-begins-detailed-design-construction-and-testing-of-canadarm3-for-gateway.html |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref>

== In popular media ==
* On November 13, 2012, Google Canada displayed a ] on its home search page to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Canadarm's first use in space.<ref name=googdood>{{cite news
|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/google-doodle-honours-canadarm-at-31-1.1154285|title=Google doodle honours Canadarm at 31|date=13 November 2012|work=CBC News|access-date=13 November 2012}}</ref>
* Starting November 7, 2013, Canadarm2 was included on the back of the ].

== See also ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
* ]
* {{Annotated link|Dextre}}
* {{Annotated link|European Robotic Arm}}
* {{Section link|Kibo (ISS module)#Remote Manipulator System}}
* {{Annotated link|Mobile Servicing System}}
* {{Annotated link|Strela (crane)|Strela}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Canadarm}}
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231022452/http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/sts-caws.html#sts-deploy |date=31 December 2016 }}
*
*
{{MDA Space Missions|state=autocollapse}}
{{Canadian Space Agency}}
{{Space Shuttle}}


] ]
] ]
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Latest revision as of 18:23, 4 December 2024

Robotic arm used on Space Shuttles This article is about the robotic arm on the Space Shuttle. For the robotic arm on the International Space Station, see Mobile Servicing System.

Shuttle Remote Manipulator System
Canadarm (right) during Space Shuttle mission STS-72
OperatorNASA
ManufacturerSpar Aerospace
Instrument typerobotic arm
Websitewww.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/canadarm/default.asp
Properties
Mass
  • Arm: 410 kg (900 lb)
  • Total: 450 kg (990 lb)
Dimensions1,520 cm × 38 cm (598 in × 15 in)
Number launched5
Host spacecraft
SpacecraftSpace Shuttle
OperatorNASA
Launch siteKennedy LC-39

Canadarm or Canadarm1 (officially Shuttle Remote Manipulator System or SRMS, also SSRMS) is a series of robotic arms that were used on the Space Shuttle orbiters to deploy, manoeuvre, and capture payloads. After the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, the Canadarm was always paired with the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS), which was used to inspect the exterior of the shuttle for damage to the thermal protection system.

Development

Life-size replica of the Canadarm at the Euro Space Center in Belgium

In 1969, Canada was invited by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to participate in the Space Shuttle program. At the time what that participation would entail had not yet been decided but a manipulator system was identified as an important component. Canadian company DSMA ATCON had developed a robot to load fuel into CANDU nuclear reactors; this robot attracted NASA's attention. In 1975, NASA and the Canadian National Research Council (NRC) signed a memorandum of understanding that Canada would develop and construct the Canadarm.

NRC awarded the manipulator contract to Spar Aerospace (now MDA). Three systems were constructed within this design, development, test, and evaluation contract: an engineering model to assist in the design and testing of the Canadarm, a qualification model that was subjected to environmental testing to qualify the design for use in space, and a flight unit.

End effector

Anthony "Tony" Zubrzycki, a design engineer at DSMA ATCON, while seconded to SPAR, originated the concept for the Canadarm End Effector, inspired by an elastic band around his fingers. Zubrzycki formally presented this concept to NASA officials. Frank Mee, head of the SPAR mechanical development laboratory, built the end effector prototype based on Tony's concept and is credited by SPAR as the inventor of the Canadarm End Effector. The three-wire crossover design won over the claw-like mechanisms and others, such as the camera iris model, that were being considered.

Controls and software

The main control algorithms were developed by SPAR and by subcontractor Dynacon Inc. of Toronto. CAE Electronics Ltd. in Montreal provided the display and control panel and the hand controllers located in the Shuttle aft flight deck. Other electronic interfaces, servo amplifiers, and power conditioners located on the Canadarm were designed and built by SPAR at its Montreal factory. The graphite composite boom that provides the structural connection between the shoulder and the elbow joint and the similar boom that connects the elbow to the wrist were produced by General Dynamics in the United States. Dilworth, Secord, Meagher and Associates, Ltd. in Toronto was contracted to produce the engineering model end effector then SPAR evolved the design and produced the qualification and flight units. The Space Shuttle flight software that monitors and controls the Canadarm was developed in Houston, Texas, by the Federal Systems Division of IBM. Rockwell International's Space Transportation Systems Division designed, developed, tested, and built the systems used to attach the Canadarm to the payload bay of the orbiter.

An acceptance ceremony for NASA was held at Spar's RMS Division in Toronto on 11 February 1981. Here Larkin Kerwin, then the head of the NRC, gave the SRMS the informal name, Canadarm. The term was originally coined by Dr. Wally Cherwinski for use by Larkin Kerwin during his speech at the press conference. The NRC Canadarm Project Manager, Dr. Art Hunter, worked with colleagues, NASA and Spar, to add the Canadian flag and wordmark onto the arm to fly Canadian colours with those of the USA.

The first Canadarm was delivered to NASA in April 1981. Astronaut Judith Resnik developed the NASA software and onboard operating procedures for the system. In all, five arms – Nos. 201, 202, 301, 302, and 303 – were built and delivered to NASA. Arm 302 was lost in the Challenger accident.

Design and capabilities

Story Musgrave, anchored on the end of the Canadarm, prepares to be elevated to the top of the Hubble Space Telescope during STS-61.

The original Canadarm was capable of deploying payloads weighing up to 65,000 pounds (29,000 kg) in space. In the mid-1990s, the arm control system was redesigned to increase the payload capability to 586,000 pounds (266,000 kg) in order to support space station assembly operations. While able to maneuver payloads with the mass of a loaded bus in space, the arm motors cannot lift the arm's own weight when on the ground. NASA, therefore, developed a model of the arm for use at its training facility within the Johnson Space Center located in Houston, Texas. The Canadarm can also retrieve, repair and deploy satellites, provide a mobile extension ladder for extravehicular activity crew members for work stations or foot restraints, and be used as an inspection aid to allow the flight crew members to view the orbiter's or payload's surfaces through a television camera on the Canadarm.

The basic Canadarm configuration consists of a manipulator arm, a Canadarm display, and a control panel, including rotational and translational hand controllers at the orbiter aft flight deck flight crew station, and a manipulator controller interface unit that interfaces with the orbiter computer. One crew member operates the Canadarm from the aft flight deck control station, and a second crew member usually assists with television camera operations. This allows the Canadarm operator to view Canadarm operations through the aft flight deck payload and overhead windows and through the closed-circuit television monitors at the aft flight deck station.

The Canadarm is outfitted with an explosive-based mechanism to allow the arm to be jettisoned. This safety system would have allowed the Orbiter's payload bay doors to be closed in the event that the arm failed in an extended position and was not able to be retracted.

The Canadarm is 15.2 metres (50 ft) long and 38 centimetres (15 in) diameter with six degrees of freedom. It weighs 410 kilograms (900 lb) by itself, and 450 kilograms (990 lb) as part of the total system. The Canadarm has six joints that correspond roughly to the joints of the human arm, with shoulder yaw and pitch joints, an elbow pitch joint, and wrist pitch, yaw, and roll joints. The end effector is the unit at the end of the wrist that grapples the payload's grapple fixture. The two lightweight boom segments are called the upper and lower arms. The upper boom connects the shoulder and elbow joints, and the lower boom connects the elbow and wrist joints.

Service history

Peter J.K. Wisoff on the end of the arm, 1993
The Canadarm2 moves toward a P5 truss section, being held by Discovery's Canadarm, in preparation for a hand-off during STS-116.

A simulated Canadarm installed on the Space Shuttle Enterprise was seen when the prototype orbiter's payload bay doors were open to test hangar facilities early in the Space Shuttle program. The Canadarm was first tested in orbit in 1981, on Space Shuttle Columbia's STS-2 mission. Its first operational use was on STS-3 to deploy and manoeuvre the Plasma Diagnostics Package. Canadarm subsequently flew on more than 90 missions with all five orbiters.

Since the installation of the Canadarm2 on the International Space Station (ISS), the two arms have been used to hand over segments of the station for assembly from the orbiter's Canadarm to the Canadarm2; the use of both elements in tandem has earned the nickname of "Canadian Handshake" in the media.

Retirement

The Canadarm's 90th and final Shuttle mission was in July 2011 on STS-135, delivering the Raffaello MPLM to the ISS and back. It is on display with Atlantis at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Discovery's Canadarm is displayed next to it in the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center. Endeavour left its OBSS at the International Space Station as part of its final mission, while its Canadarm was originally going to be displayed in the headquarters of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). However, Endeavour's Canadarm is now on permanent display at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa. The last of the Canadarms to fly in space, the SRMS flown aboard Atlantis on STS-135 in July 2011, was shipped to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston for engineering study and possible reuse on a future mission.

Derivatives

Canadarm2

Main article: Canadarm2

Based on the Canadarm1, the larger Canadarm2 is used for berthing the trusses, berthing the commercial vehicles, and inspecting the whole International Space Station.

Canadarm3

Main article: Canadarm3

The smaller Canadarm3 will be used for berthing the modules and inspecting the Lunar Gateway. In June 2024, the full contract for design and construction of the arm was awarded to MDA Space.

In popular media

  • On November 13, 2012, Google Canada displayed a doodle on its home search page to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Canadarm's first use in space.
  • Starting November 7, 2013, Canadarm2 was included on the back of the Canadian five dollar note.

See also

References

  1. ^ Dotto, Lydia (1992). A Heritage of Excellence: 25 years at Spar Aerospace Limited. David Steel. Canada: Spar Aerospace Limited. pp. 41–42. ISBN 0-9696618-0-0. Mee is the inventor of the Canadarm hand, technically known as the "end effector.
  2. Wilks, Brian (2004). Browsing Science Research at the Federal Level in Canada: History, Research Activities and Publications. University of Toronto Press. p. 117. ISBN 9780802088116. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  3. ^ Garry Lindberg. "Canadarm and its U of A Connections". U of A Engineer Magazine. University of Alberta. Archived from the original on 29 November 2004. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  4. ^ Melbourne, James V. (2001). Make The Wind Blow. Heirloom Publishing Inc. pp. 62–77. ISBN 0-9694247-8-7.
  5. "The Shuttle Remote Manipulator System – The Canadarm". IEEE Canada. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  6. Engineering Women: Re-visioning Women's Scientific Achievements and Impacts, By Jill S. Tietjen, Springer 2016, page 72
  7. ^ "Flight History of Canadarm". Canada Space Agency. 28 October 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  8. Demeo, M.E. (January 1990). "REMOTE MANIPULATOR SYSTEM (RMS)- BASED CONTROLS-STRUCTURES INTERACTION(CSI) FLIGHT EXPERIMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY" (PDF).
  9. "Space Shuttle Canadarm Robotic Arm Marks 25 Years in Space".
  10. ^ "The structure of Canadarm". Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  11. "RMS: PAYLOAD DEPLOYMENT AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM". Archived from the original on 31 December 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2007.
  12. Ray, Justin (5 January 2011). "Vandenberg's space shuttle hangar". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  13. "Coming to space: A Canadarm handshake?". CBC News. 11 August 2006. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  14. ^ Chris Gebhardt (17 November 2010). "Discovery's retirement plans provide insight into the fate of the robotic arm". NASASpaceflight. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  15. Andy Johnson (2 May 2013). "Unveiling exhibit, Hadfield sends first Canadarm 'last command' from space". CTV News. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  16. Elizabeth Howell (2 May 2013). "Space Shuttle's Robotic Arm Goes on Display at Canadian Museum". Space.com. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  17. Canadian Space Agency (2 May 2013). "Minister Moore Unveils Exhibit for Canada's National Space Icon: the Canadarm". Canadian Space Agency. Archived from the original on 6 May 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  18. "Canadarm on display: Space shuttle robot arm unveiled at Canadian museum". 2 May 2013.
  19. Semeniuk, Ivan (28 February 2019). "Canada's space program sets new course with historic commitment to lunar outpost". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  20. Agency, Canadian Space (27 June 2024). "Canada begins detailed design, construction and testing of Canadarm3 for Gateway". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  21. "Google doodle honours Canadarm at 31". CBC News. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.

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