Build the structure after the rocket ride

A robot assembled part of a frame in orbit—and gave engineers something new to learn from.

The photographThe International Space Station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm above Earth. This is a different system, not Caltech’s ASTRA demonstration. NASA • Canadarm2 at the International Space Station · Related space-robotics photograph, not a picture of the ASTRA test.

The story

Rocket cargo compartments limit the size of equipment sent into space. Engineers often fold large structures for launch. Building them after arrival could offer another option.

Caltech reported on November 5 that its ASTRA robot assembled a new section of a truss, a supporting frame, in orbit. Time limits and technical problems kept it from completing the planned antenna.

The test showed that an assembly step could work outside a laboratory. It did not prove giant space structures are ready to build. Our photograph shows Canadarm2 on the space station, a different robotic system.

For your curious sideGo DeeperMore to notice. More to try.

Three ways into the story

See what else you can discover.

01Look closer

What actually happened?

The robot picked up parts and connected a frame section. Separate that completed step from the larger structures future systems might make.

02Connect the dots

Test where it will work

Space presents conditions a laboratory cannot perfectly reproduce. A flight test can reveal problems a ground test misses.

03Keep wondering

Design for a small box

Draw a frame on paper. Divide it into pieces that could fit in an imaginary small box. Number the joining steps. Which connection would be hardest for a robot to reach?

You do not need to have every answer. A good question is a great place to start.

Keep exploring

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