{"id":40710,"date":"2010-07-20T23:31:17","date_gmt":"2010-07-20T15:31:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/dextre-the-canadian-robot-waits-begins-operational-service\/"},"modified":"2010-07-20T23:31:17","modified_gmt":"2010-07-20T15:31:17","slug":"dextre-the-canadian-robot-waits-begins-operational-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/dextre-the-canadian-robot-waits-begins-operational-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Dextre, the Canadian robot, waits begins operational service"},"content":{"rendered":"

Canada\u2019s Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) robot \u201cDextre\u201d is making himself useful on the International Space Station (ISS), as he prepares to swap out a failed RPCM (Remote Power Control Module) on the P1 Truss. Having conducted his induction training on Tuesday, Dextre was set to clock in for work on Wednesday. However, operations are on hold, as engineers evaluate an obstruction with the RPCM.<\/p>\n

Dextre\u2019s Time On Orbit:<\/p>\n

Dextre is capable of robotic execution of ISS external maintenance tasks, such as the removal and replacement of dexterous compatible Orbit Replaceable Units (ORUs), and the servicing of scientific payloads.<\/p>\n

Supporting EVA-based maintenance is also part of its role, with the preposition of ORUs or Integrated Assemblies, the provision of lighting and camera support, and is it is also capable of actuating external mechanisms, performing inspection tasks, and extending the reach of the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System).<\/p>\n

\"\"Dextre arrived in Endeavour\u2019s Payload Bay (PLB) during STS-123, although his Special Logistics Pallet (SLP) initially suffered from \u2018Keep-Alive\u2019 power supply issues, when the SLP was removed from the Payload Bay. Repeated attempts to activate the SPDM PSU (Power Switching Unit) for powering on the \u2018keep-alive\u2019 heaters were unsuccessful.<\/p>\n

The first plan of action was to try a software patch, due to engineers suspecting an issue with the software timing between the RWS (Robotics Work Station) applying power to the PSU and establishing data communications. However, this failed to solve the issue.<\/p>\n

\u201cSPDM troubleshooting: The MSS software patch was uplinked with no joy on the SPDM power up,\u201d noted MMT information at the time. \u201cThe plan is to grapple the SPDM on FD5 following OBSS (Orbiter Boom Sensor System) handoff and power the SPDM via the PDGF (Power Data Grapple Fixture).\u201d<\/p>\n

Thanks to further evaluations by engineers, the problem was pinpointed to a design error in a cable \u2013 unavoidable given the ground based test bed research wouldn\u2019t of been able to be simulate the on orbit conditions.<\/p>\n

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\"\"Flight Day 6 saw STS-123 spacewalkers Rick Linnehan and Mike Foreman install Dextre\u2019s 11 foot arms to the torso of the robot. During the EVA, one of the arms proved slightly troublesome, along with some issues with the Joint and Brake Tests during diagnostic checks.<\/p>\n

All was well with Dextre \u2013 attached to the Destiny Lab \u2013 until the end of 2008, when engineers identified a potential failure mode in the SPDM Power Switching Unit (PSU), as they prepared to put the robot through a series of checks on the end of the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe received data that MDA (MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd) had identified a potential failure mode in the SPDM power switching unit (PSU) that could result in power flowing through from one power channel to another,\u201d noted one of several memos at the time.<\/p>\n

\u201cPreliminary inputs we received from MDA and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) were that the failure should not affect the planned SPDM operations, but after asking a few questions it became clear that they had not fully assessed the impacts of the failure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Such checks were required to ensure Dextre wouldn\u2019t fail in a position where it could become trapped on the end of the SSRMS or the Mobile Base System (MBS).<\/p>\n

However, by the turn of the year, Dextre was deemed to be in good health, with the back up of contingency workarounds available in the event of issues with the PSU during future robotic tasks. This resulted in a milestone on January 20, 2009, with all three elements of the Canadian robotics system on the ISS (collectively known as the Mobile Servicing System) were working together.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom its perch on the Mobile Base System, Canadarm2 successfully lifted Dextre off the ISS\u2019s Destiny lab, and held it overnight until further operations on Wednesday,\u201d noted the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) at the time. \u201cThis maneuver marks the first time ground controllers have moved Canadarm2 while carrying a payload at the end of the arm.\u201d<\/p>\n

With thermal covers installed on Dextre during Discovery\u2019s STS-119 EVA-2 \u2013 conducted by Steve Swanson and Joe Acaba \u2013 engineers prepared for the robot to begin operational tasks, originally scheduled for the fall of 2009.<\/p>\n

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