Maailma moodsaim kosmoserobot äratati ellu

Möödunud ööl said miljonid kosmosehuvilised NASA telekanali vahendusel laivis jälgida maailma moodsaima kosmoseroboti DEXTRE (vaata fotot) elluäratamist kosmosesüstiku Endeavour meeskonna poolt. Kanadas konstrueeritud ja kolme avakosmoses käigu tulemusena kokku pandud 1,5 korda 3 meetriste gabariitidega kosmoserobot läks NASAle maksma üle 200 miljoni USD (ca 2 miljardit krooni).

Nagu lugeda Kanada kosmoseagentuuri kodulehelt, on DEXTRE valmis avakosmoses suuritama suhteliselt unikaalseid operatsioone etteantud programmi raames nii omapäi kui ka rahvusvahelise kosmosejaama juhtimise all:

A variety of tasks will be performed by Dextre including installation and removal of small payloads such as batteries, power supplies and computers; providing power and data connectivity to payloads; and manipulating, installing, removing and inspecting scientific payloads. A typical task for Dextre is to replace a depleted (100 kg) battery, which involves bolting and unbolting operations as well as millimetre level positioning accuracy to properly align and insert the spare battery within its worksite and properly engage all connectors. This peg-in-the-hole type of task demands a great amount of precision and a gentle touch to avoid binding. To achieve this Dextre has a unique feature which complements its remarkable dexterity: precise sensing of forces and torques at the "hand" and automatic compensation to ensure the payload moves smoothly into its mounting fixture. To illustrate the level of performance of Dextre, here on Earth it could likely be used to insert an item as delicate as a videotape into a video recorder.

Kel huvi oma silmaga jälgida Endeavour meeskonna toimetamisi, sh DEXTRE taltsutamist, saab seda teha NASA TV vahendusel:

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/