Rookie Robot Joins Crew of Space Shuttle
USA Today (03/07/08) P. 8A; Watson, Traci

The space shuttle Endeavor will be carrying a crew of seven astronauts and a robot when it launches on Tuesday. The robot, called Dextre, has two arms, each with seven joints that allow the limbs to flex and twist. Each hand has pincers to grip objects and built-in socket wrenches. Dextre, which will be able to manipulate objects ranging in size from a phone book to a phone booth, will be the most advanced robot to ever venture into space. Dextre will be assembled in space and placed on the International Space Station, where it will start work in 2009. Eventually, it will be able to perform tasks that would be dangerous for astronauts to do. The $210 million robot has been in development for 10 years and has a working life expectancy of 15 years. Dextre will be able to replace nearly 140 parts of the station, such as batteries and circuit boxes, thanks to a sense of touch that enables the robot to "feel" when more pressure needs to be applied. Dextre can be operated b y either Mission Control or by the crew on the space station.
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