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Canadarm2 May Get Arthroscopic Surgery
Soft writes: "Atlantis' rainsoaked tiles were barely dry when SpaceflightNow reported that the International Space Station's brand-new arm might have developed a problem in the Shoulder Pitch joint, which could require on-orbit replacement in what they call a "daring spacewalk". The incident could play havoc with the shuttle launch schedule, since the next mission, which was to deliver the station's big US airlock, requires a fully-functional arm there." There's another article about the malfunctioning arm at space.com.
it's a period where the orbit the shuttle ends up in after launching is too far from the ISS's orbit, and it would be too costly / long to change orbit planes to the ISS's, and then back for landing.
It's still possible, it just isn't a good time.
Orbital mechanics is the mathematics of orbiting bodies.
I worry that observers/media will sieze on this as another example of the problems with the space program. In reality, things don't always work. It even looks like it's operating as planned -- it's actually a backup system that's causing problems, the main works fine.
This stuff isn't easy, and if we only want to use technology that has 0% risk, we're going to sit on the ground for a long time. Hey, this is real life. Stuff happens, you change your plans, fix it, and move on.
I'll consider nothing NASA does "daring" until NASA headquarters are in space and HQ authority is exercised exclusively by those in space.
Seastead this.
Best get him on the next shuttle up there to fix it with parts from an old bicycle, a VW engine and whatever other stuff the Scrapheap Challenge/Junkyard Wars folk can spare.
Now the U.S. media will start calling it the CANADAarm instead of "the big arm"!
You killed Kenny, Bastards!
... the $600 million Canadarm2 ...
and I said, they shouldn't take the cheap one - they always need fixing!
I believe that the majority of people who make the flight average then to twenty years older. I hate to say it, but at that point often you are starting to slide physically, even if you are peaking metally. This will take a whole new training approach as well, since you are dealing with someone with a technician/mechanic level of knowledge. Side note: you will be looking for the short guys. The day of the 6'4" astronaut is not here yet, just due to weight considerations.
Which brings up the idea of a new job title: space mechanic.
Check out the Vinny the Vampire comic strip
"It is a greater offense to steal men's labor, than their clothes"
A "daring spacewalk". huh? It wouldn't be as daring if the astronauts inside would stop trying to 'swat' the repairman with the arm =)
NASA - Engineers this week discovered the robotic arm on the new space station ceased functioning when they failed to register RoboticArm XP with Microsoft before it was used 15 times. As a result, the robotic arm only boots into a "safe mode." This activates the breaks and the arm does not move. A Micro$oft spokesperson referred to this lack of movement and functionality as evident Micro$soft is providing NASA with the "most secure robotic arm product ever."
After registering RoboticArm XP, engineers eventually had to replace a troublesome joint in the arm as well. The hardware change required NASA engineers to call Micro$oft and convince them RoboticArm XP was not being installed on a new robotic space station arm but in fact, on the same robotic space station arm with a new joint.
Shares of Micro$soft were up an 1/8th on news they actually sold a copy of RoboticArm XP.
RC
RC
You just know it was that Tito guy. Nasa's nightmare come true.. Tito's up there with nothing to do for an entire week, pretty soon he's flinging space garbage towards Florida with The Arm.
Tito looks around.. hums to himself nervously.. floats away quietly.
They should send Dr. Strangelove up there, or at least his arm.
"What is the sound of one belly slapping?"