Portal:Robotics/Featured robot/6
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The Mobile Servicing System or Canadarm2 is a robotic system and associated equipment on the International Space Station that plays a key role in station assembly and maintenance: moving equipment and supplies around the station, supporting astronauts working in space, and servicing instruments and other payloads attached to the space station. The MSS was designed and manufactured by MDA Space Missions for the Canadian Space Agency's contribution to the International Space Station. Launched on STS-100 in April 2001, this next generation Canadarm is a bigger, better, smarter version of the space shuttle's original robotic arm. Canadarm2 is 17.6 meters (57.7 ft) long when fully extended and has seven motorized joints. It has a mass of 1,800 kilograms (4,000 lb) and a diameter of 35 cm (13¾ in). The arm is capable of handling large payloads of up to 116,000 kg (256,000 lb) and assisting with docking the space shuttle.
Canadarm2 can move end-over-end to reach many parts of the Space Station in an inchworm-like movement, limited only by the number of Power Data Grapple Fixtures (PDGFs) on the station. PDGFs located around the station provide power, data and video to the arm through its Latching End Effectors (LEEs). The arm can also travel the entire length of the space station using the Mobile Base System.
