ISS Astronauts Install New Robot Hand

[Toroid]

NASA astronauts installed a new hand for an ISS robot arm.
https://phys.org/news/2017-10-spacewalkers-station-robot-arm.html

Spacewalking astronauts gave the International Space Station's big robot arm a new hand Thursday.

Commander Randy Bresnik and Mark Vande Hei accomplished the job on the first of three NASA spacewalks planned over the next two weeks.

The latching mechanism on one end of the 58-foot robot arm malfunctioned in August. It needed to be replaced before the arrival of an Orbital ATK supply ship in November.

Hustling through their work, the spacewalkers unbolted the old mechanism and promptly installed the spare. Initial testing by ground controllers indicated success.

"All right, gentlemen, we show a good arm," Mission Control radioed.

"That is great news, Houston," Bresnik said. "Much rejoicing."

This bulky bundle of latches—more than three feet (a meter) long—is used to grab visiting spacecraft, and provides power and data. The arm can also move like an inchworm across the space station by grabbing onto special fixtures.

Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2017-10-spacewalkers-station-robot-arm.html#jCp

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_94fVdNqRf4

Published on Oct 4, 2017
Canadarm2 will be getting a new 'hand' during a spacewalk scheduled for October 5, 2017. After 16 years of tireless work on board the International Space Station (ISS), one of Canadarm2's Latching End Effectors (LEEs) will be replaced as a result of normal wear and tear. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and NASA have decided to replace the LEE to ensure that the robotic arm can continue performing critical operations for the Station, including maintenance tasks and catching supply ships. Much like a car, Canadarm2 was designed for this kind of routine repair. It was built in segments that can easily be pulled out and replaced in space. Knowing that Canadarm2 would eventually have to be repaired, the CSA planned shipments of key spares to the ISS well in advance. A spare LEE has been on board the ISS since 2002. During the spacewalk, the LEE on Canadarm2 will be swapped with the LEE that is currently on the Mobile Base System. It will later be returned to Earth for refurbishing.

 

[CasualBystander]

Well, they plan to end the ISS program in 2020.

This is sort of like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

 

[Toroid]

They could still run experiments with the onboard robots. NASA has said they're tired of hauling food & water up there. I guess that would be a cost to benefit ratio.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJE3hR1y5ps

Published on Jun 21, 2015

 

[CasualBystander]

The ISS is a tough nut.

It should be in a higher orbit. The drag is too high where it is, but makes servicing easier. Given the cost to launch and assemble it they should find some long term use.

ISS partners seek clarity on station’s long-term future - SpaceNews.com
However it now looks like it will hang around to at least 2024.

They could push the mission out to 2028.

The current plan to deorbit it in pieces doesn't seem the best choice.

Not sure what it would cost for robots to maintain it.