Commander Chris Hadfield may be the fresh poster boy for the Canadian Space Agency , but before the Mustachioed Ontarian hit the view that crown was held by the supremely versatile Canadarm telerobotic organization . Now a Modern coevals of robo - arms are taking to the sky , where they ’ll pretend as orb artificial satellite mechanics .
TheCanadarmis a remote - check robotlike operator subdivision , originally devised as a Shuttle Remote Manipulator System for distil particular from the Space Shuttle ’s consignment bay while in orbit . The next generation of Canadarms , dub “ Next multiplication Canadarm ” ( NGC ) , are progress by MacDonald , Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. ( MDA ) under contract by the CSA , and constitute four subsystem .
The NGC has a 15 measure weapon akin to the Canadarm 2 but , lighter and more compatible . Though it can telescope out to nearly 50 feet and features six degrees of freedom — both handy for hold on pass planet — the 15 cadence arm close down down to just 16 square metrical foot , about the size of it of a Chevy Astro van , in Holy Order to check into the current contemporaries of spacecraft .
The arrangement also includes a smaller 2.5 meter limb designed more for manual dexterity ( it is build off the previousDextrearm blueprint used aboard the ISS ) for actually carry out mend on satellites that the longer arm capture for docking . As such it is equipped with an regalia of tools , mental imagery twist , and graspers . Its duties will include replacing dead components , manipulating fuel valve , and transferring propellent from the service craft to the customer satellite . And like its harbinger , the 2.5 measure branch can hobble a ride atop the longer limb to move between various workstation on each satellite .
And to ensure that operators are comfortable with the systems before their clanging around multi - million dollar sign satellite in the icy grips of space , the NGC also includes a simulation testbed and semi - automated docking abilities . The testbed allow flight engineers to simulate the dictate mission programme and practice seizure and dock routine under naturalistic conditions ( salve for the gravity ) and lighting . Aiding in actual docking subroutine is the semi - auto moorage system . Once the target satellite is within ambit ( after it ’s been grabbed by the 15 metre sleeve ) the docking bit takes over and joins the two spacecraft using sensing element to guide the umbilical rather than give birth a remote hustler handle it .
One burn enquiry though , why are n’t the arms named Terrance and Phillip ? It seems such an obvious pick . [ ASCviaSpectrum IEEE – all picture : ASC ]
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