Table of Contents

STS-134/ULF6 News

May 28, 2011

Endeavour and Dextre – Last Rendezvous

In this stunning night image, Space Shuttle Endeavour is docked to the International Space Station (ISS) as it soars over the Earth. The next day it would depart from the ISS for the final time. In the foreground is Dextre, Canada's "space robotics handyman" aboard the Station.

May 27, 2011

The Final Spacewalk and a New Home for the Inspection Boom

On Flight Day 12 of STS-134, NASA astronauts Greg Chamitoff and Mike Fincke stepped out for a historic spacewalk. It was the last EVA of the Space Shuttle program, and represented over 1000 hours of spacewalking time spent on the construction of the International Space Station (ISS). Canada's robot arms also shared in the milestones as Canadarm2 grappled the Inspection Boom from Canadarm and maneuvered it to the spacewalkers. Chamitoff and Fincke then secured it to the Station, bringing the last piece of Space Shuttle hardware to the ISS. They also added a power and data grapple fixture that will make the boom compatible with Canadarm2. Later, Fincke released three fasteners on a spare arm for Dextre, rounding out operations for the day.

May 22, 2011

Maintenance Work on Dextre

In this image, Fuerstel works near Dextre. May 20, 2011. Photo: NASA

During a May 22nd STS-134 space walk, NASA astronaut Andrew Fuerstel performed maintenance work on Dextre, Canada’s space robotics handyman aboard the International Space Station. Dextre received a new lens cap on one of its cameras and had its snares, which allow it to grab equipment, lubricated. Canadarm2 delivered Dextre to the astronaut.

May 20, 2011

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2: Installed and Active

May 20, 2011. Photo: NASA

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), newly installed by Canadarm2, is perched center left of the starboard truss of the International Space Station. The AMS will analyze high-energy space particles. Scientists believe that this experiment could lead to key discoveries about the origins of the universe.

May 19, 2011

From Shuttle to Station: Canadian Space Robotics at Work

On Flight Day 4 of Shuttle Mission STS-134, Canadarm and Canadarm2 were deployed to install the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer 2 (AMS) to the International Space Station. The Canadarm, operated by Roberto Vittori and Andrew Fuestel, removed the AMS from Endeavour's payload bay and handed it off to Canadarm2, operated by Greg Chamitoff and Greg Johnson. Canadarm2 then deftly attached the AMS to the starboard side of the International Space Station. Soon afterwards the AMS was powered up, beginning an investigation that will analyze space particles to better understand the origins of our universe.

May 18, 2011

Canadian Space Robotics Teamwork

During Flight Day 3 of STS-134, Canadarm and Canadarm2 teamed up for a flawless Canadian space handover. The Canadarm took the Express Logistics Carrier 3 (ELC-3) out from Endeavour's payload bay and positioned it for Canadarm2. The Station arm grappled it with ease and then attached it to the P3 Truss of the International Space Station. The ELC-3 holds a spare arm for Dextre, as well as an ammonia tank, a high-pressure gas tank, a cargo transport container and two S-band antenna assemblies.