The Space Shuttle Endeavour literally will extend the reach of humans in space when it lifts
off the launch pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida later this week. Inside the
shuttle’s cargo bay is a next-generation robotic arm that will be attached to the International
Space Station.
The Space Station Remote Manipulator System, known as the Canadarm2, was built by the
Canadian Space Agency. It is a longer, stronger and more flexible relative of the robotic arm
Canada provided for NASA’s shuttle fleet.
“The station Remote Manipulator System is a critical element in the construction and
operation of the International Space Station,” said Tommy Holloway, International Space
Station Program Manager, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX. “The station
program has worked closely with our Canadian partner to develop what is likely the most
sophisticated robotic system ever flown in space. The Remote Manipulator System is a
perfect example of what an internationally integrated team can accomplish and marks
another significant milestone in the space station assembly and overall partnership.”
Endeavour and its diverse seven-member crew currently are scheduled to soar into orbit for
the STS-100 mission at 2:41 p.m. EDT April 19.
The Canadarm2 is the centerpiece of Canada’s contribution to the space station and will
have a unique ability to work independently of the space station structure, crawling along
the exterior of the orbiting research lab. It will be the most intricate and advanced robotic
installation and operation ever conducted in space.
Endeavour also will carry to the space station its second logistics carrier, a module named
Raffaello provided by the Italian Space Agency. The logistics carrier serves as a space-age
moving van, allowing equipment and supplies to be carried to and from the station.
During STS-100, Raffaello will ferry two research racks containing three commercial
experiments to the station. These two racks are the second and third research racks to be
installed in the U.S. Laboratory Destiny.
The ADVANCED ASTROCULTURE ™ experiment will be the first experiment to grow plants
long enough to determine if they can produce seeds that could then propagate more plants.
Another biotechnology experiment, the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus,
could lead to new drugs and treatments for diseases, as well as development of human
tissues for use in skin grafts and organ transplants. Improved pharmaceuticals also could
result from the Commercial Protein Crystal Grown-High Density experiment.
Endeavour’s crew hails from around the globe and represents four of the international
partners. Commander Kent Rominger, who will be making his fifth flight into space, leads
the mission. Jeff Ashby, making his second shuttle flight, will be Endeavour’s pilot.
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, who flew aboard the shuttle in 1995 and is the only
Canadian to ever visit Russia’s Mir space station, will serve as a mission specialist during
this mission. He will become the first Canadian ever to make a spacewalk.
“Canada’s been in space almost as long as the United States and Russia have,” said
Hadfield. “As a Canadian, to be the person who’s trusted to go up and help put this thing
together is an honor and a big responsibility. The robotic arm has become very much a
symbol of technological success for Canada.”
Rounding out the crew are Umberto Guidoni, a native of Rome, Italy, who’s making his
second shuttle flight as a mission specialist from the European Space Agency; Russian
cosmonaut Yuri Lonchakov; and American mission specialists Scott Parazynski and John
Phillips. Parazynski is a veteran of three shuttle flights. This will be Phillips’ first mission.
This will be Endeavour’s 16th flight into orbit and is the 104th mission in the history of the
Shuttle program.
Additional information on the next mission of Endeavour and its crew is available on the
internet at:
