11 Facts About Dextre

Dextre, known as the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, is a two armed robot, or telemanipulator, which is part of the Mobile Servicing System on the International Space Station, and does repairs that would otherwise require astronauts to do spacewalks.

Dextre is a small part of Canada's contributions to the ISS and was named to represent its dexterous nature.

Dextre is the newest of three Canadian robotic arm used on the ISS, preceded by the Space Shuttle's Canadarm and the large Canadarm2.

Dextre is designed to handle and complete orbital replacement units: Many spares are stored on the ISS and Dextre is able to carry them to and from worksites and install replacements when failures occur.

Dextre resembles a gigantic torso fitted with two extremely agile, 3.

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The body has a Power Data grapple fixture at the 'head' end that can be grasped by the larger Space Station Arm, Canadarm2 so that Dextre can be positioned at the various Orbital Replacement Unit worksites around the Space Station.

The other end of the body has a Latching End Effector virtually identical to that of Canadarm2, so that Dextre can be attached to Space Station grapple fixtures or the Mobile Base System.

Dextre can be operated whilst it is attached to the end of Canadarm2.

Lower body of Dextre has a pair of orientable colour TV cameras with lights, a platform for stowing ORUs, and a tool holster.

Dextre was designed and manufactured by MDA Space Missions as part of the $200-million contracted by the Canadian Space Agency, which will oversee its future operations and the necessary training of station crews.

Dextre was featured in the new $5 Canadian Polymer bank note together with Canadarm2, which Commander Chris Hadfield helped reveal aboard the International Space Station.