ISS astronauts take rest day after setting up giant robot

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Astronauts aboard the International Space Station settled in for a rest day Wednesday after three lengthy spacewalks and a day readying the Dextre robot for work outside the station.

Astronauts used the station's robotic arm, Canadarm2, to manipulate Canadian-built, 200-million-dollar Dextre into place attached to the outside of the Destiny research module on Tuesday.

Manipulated by joysticks inside the ISS or from ground control on Earth, the almost human-like 1.56-tonne robot is designed to undertake operations that have until now required a human touch, like replacing small components on the station's exterior.

Officially known as a special purpose dexterous manipulator, assembly of the 12-foot (3.7-meter) robot was completed during the...