The Canadarm
Originally this episode aired May 28th 2017. This is the last episode under the Tea with Puppets name.
In Episode 24, we learn about the history of the Canadarm and the stamp issued by Canada Post to celebrate this momentous achievement in robotics.
What exactly is the Canadarm? It’s a remote-controlled mechanical arm, also known as the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS). The Canadarm’s first mission was aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on November 13, 1981. The Canadarm launched Canada’s close partnership with NASA on human space flight.
During its 30-year career with NASA’s Space Shuttle Program, the robotic arm deployed, captured and repaired satellites, positioned astronauts, maintained equipment, and moved cargo until it was retired when the Space Shuttle program ended in 2011.
The Canadarm could lift over 30,000 kilograms on Earth — or up to 266,000 kilograms in the weightlessness of space — at speeds of up to 60 centimetres per second (depending on the payload mass). It could place such payloads in any position, within 5 centimetres of a desired target.
In order to meet strength requirements, engineers used the latest aerospace materials, including titanium, stainless steel, and ultra-high-modulus graphite-epoxy. The harsh environment necessitated special attention to thermal design and lubrication. The arm was entirely covered with a multi-layer insulation system and a special outer covering. In extremely cold conditions, thermostatically controlled electric heaters protected critical electronics within.
The Canadarm was exceptional and exceeded all design goals. Between 1981 and its final flight in 2011, the Canadarm flew 90 times. In addition to Columbia, its flight history included missions with all of NASA’s other shuttles: Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour.
The best-known tasks carried out with Canadarm were capturing, repairing and deploying several satellites, including missions to the Hubble Space Telescope; docking the space shuttle to the Russian Mir space station; knocking-off ice growths that were causing a blockage to a waste exit on the shuttle; and helping to construct the International Space Station.
An interesting side fact. Though launched in 1981, it wasn’t until 1995, that a Canadian Astronaut would get the chance to operate the Canadarm in space. Any guesses to who that was? It was Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, actually! He was there helping to build part of the Russian space station. On his second flight to space, he would be there to help launch the Canadarm 2, which also marked the first spacewalk for a Canadian.
The Canadarm2 was the next generation of the Canadarm. It was a bigger, “smarter” version of the original. It would be launched April 22nd 2001. The CanadaArm was 17 metres long when extended fully and had seven joints. It played an important role in the construction of the International Space Station and remains on the station to conduct maintenance, move equipment and supplies, support astronauts working in space, and handle payloads.
So what about its legacy?
The Canadarm was instrumental in establishing Canada’s reputation for robotics innovation and led to a new generation of Canadian robotics on the International Space Station (ISS).
The Canadian Space Agency also credits the Canadarm with leading to a new generation of Canadian robotics for applications in space, as well as medical and industrial uses. Here are just a few.
Dextre: The most sophisticated space robot ever built, Dextre performs maintenance and repairs, such as changing batteries and replacing cameras, outside the ISS. It can move on a mobile base or be attached to Canadarm2.
neuroArm: This robot allows surgeons to use miniaturized tools such as laser scalpels with pinpoint accuracy and perform soft tissue manipulation, needle insertion, suturing and cauterization. A collaboration between MDA and the University of Calgary, it is the world’s first robot capable of performing surgery inside MRI machines. Since 2008, neuroArm has been used in surgical procedures on dozens of patients.
Industrial applications: The robotic technology used in Canadarm is also used for applications such as servicing nuclear power stations, welding and repairing pipelines on the ocean floor, remote servicing of utility power lines, and cleaning up radioactive and other hazardous wastes.
Below is Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who unveiled the Canadarm stamp together.
Here is a closer look at the stamp
This is the first day cover front
This is the first day cover back
You can order all the stamps here.
Sources and other links for further reading & exploration:
Canadian Encyclopedia: Canadarm
The Globe & Mail: How the Canadarm changed spaceflight
Canadarm 2 page at Canadian Space Agency
