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News
July 21, 2011
Highlights of Mission STS-135
Daily highlights Mission STS-135,
the Space Shuttle's last flight. (Credit: NASA/CSA)
An overview of STS-135 Canadian robotic operations
This highlight reel gives an overview of the Canadian robotic operations performed during Mission STS-135, the Space Shuttle's last flight. (Credit: NASA/CSA)
Canadarm2 installs the
RRM hardware
The crew of Mission STS-135 uses Canadarm2 to install the hardware for Dextre's Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM). (Credit: NASA/CSA)
July 19, 2011
Image: NASA
Shuttle Atlantis' Final Departure
Atlantis, with Canadarm deployed, undocks from the International Space Station (ISS) in what will be the last-ever departure for the Shuttle Program. Though Canadarm will be retired along with the shuttle, Canadarm2 and Dextre will continue to work and represent Canada on the ISS.
July 19, 2011
Image: NASA
Goodbye Canadarm, and thank you!
Space Shuttle Atlantis' crew completed the inspection of the Shuttle's thermal protection system on July 19th at 10:30 a.m. This marks the final use of the Canadarm, dating back to its inaugural flight on Shuttle Columbia in October 1981 during the STS-2 Mission.
July 12, 2011
A new experiment for Dextre
The demonstration hardware for the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) has been installed on the International Space Station (ISS), by the astronauts Mike Fossum and Ron Garan, on Flight Day 5 of mission STS-135, July 12, 2011. Strapped at the end of Canadarm2, Mike Fossum, one of the ISS crewmembers, grasped the washing machine-sized box from the shuttle’s payload bay and installed it temporarily on Dextre’s workbench. After the end of the mission, the RRM equipment will be transferred, by Canadarm2 and Dextre, to the EXPRESS Logistics Carrier 4.
Dextre received the tools and task box which will be used for its first research and development project, the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM). (Photo: NASA)
The RRM gear consists of a toolbox and a customized task box which will be used to test the technology and techniques required for refueling satellites in flight with remotely-operated robots. Dextre, the Canadian robotic handyman on the Space Station, will carry out the demonstration about six to twelve months after the end of STS-135.
July 11, 2011
Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the International Space Station on
July 10, 2011. (Photo: NASA)
One extra day for Atlantis
The Mission Management Team has extended mission STS-135 by one day. CAPCOM Megan McArthur notified Space Shuttle Atlantis’ commander, Chris Ferguson, on July 11, 2011. This extra day will give the shuttle crew more time to perform its tasks.
On Flight Day 4 of the mission, Canadarm2, operated by astronauts Doug Hurley and Sandy Magnus, transfered the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module from the shuttle’s payload bay to the Harmony module on the Station. In the coming days, the crew will transfer over 4,200 kilograms of cargo from the Raffaello module to the station. The multipurpose logistics module will then be filled with more than 2,500 kilograms of material to be sent back to Earth.
Atlantis docked with the International Space Station on July 10 while it was on orbit above New Zealand.
July 8, 2011
Photo: NASA
Adieu Atlantis!
The Space Shuttle Atlantis launched from Cape Canaveral, in Florida, for the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program, on July 8, 2011, at 11:29 a.m. (EDT). Initially scheduled for 11:26 a.m., the launch took place after a short and dramatic, unplanned hold in the countdown at T-31 seconds. Atlantis is expected to dock with the International Space Station on Sunday, July 10. The four-member crew will complete the 135th mission of the Shuttle Program by delivering cargo as well as the hardware for the Robotic Refueling Mission, during which Dextre, the Station’s Canadian-built robotic handyman, will conduct its first research and development project.
