Russian designers completed ground tests of a manipulator arm for the ISS
Currently, the ISS is using Canadarm, a large Canadian arm, and its flexible Dexter manipulator.
At the next stage of testing, the “hand” will be tested in outer space. According to the designer, the developers are waiting for the launch of the “new Russian multifunctional laboratory module“ Nauka ”to the ISS, on the surface of which it is planned to install the Russian arm-manipulator”. The module is planned to be put into orbit in December of this year. Following his arrival at the station, the Progress cargo ship will deliver the manipulator, and the astronauts will install it on the outer surface of the ISS.
“Then the experiment on testing the remote control system“ seizure ”will begin. Sitting inside the station, using a laptop and joystick, astronauts will conduct 30 control sessions with a half-meter "hand": they will grab a sample of a handrail similar to those held by astronauts while moving on the outer surface of the station, and using the feedback system, the crew will be able to evaluate the efforts compression, ”says the material.
This development is part of a larger project to create Robot-assistant of the cosmonauts "Cosmorobot". He must assist the crew during spacewalks from the ISS: “inspect the outer surface of the station, carry cargo, illuminate the work area with lanterns, install and disconnect equipment,” the source said.
According to him, “for movement on the station surface at Kosmorobot there will be three“ hands ”at once, with which it will cling to the handrails”.
Tests of an assistant robot in space are scheduled to begin in 2020.
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