European Robotic Arm set to be smart spacewalker

Author: EIS Release Date: Jul 27, 2021

The European Robotic Arm (ERA) is due to launch into space today, and it will be the first robot that can ‘walk’ around the Russian part of the International Space Station (ISS).

 

European Robotic Arm set to be smart spacewalker

 

The ERA – dubbed a Smart Spacewalker – is set for launch on a Proton rocket from the Baikonur cosmodrome today (21 June) at 16:58 CEST.

 

It will accompany the Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module, Nauka, to the ISS. And this module will be ERA’s home base for the next ten years.

 

The latest robot to service the Space Station, it has a length of over 11m, it can lift up to 8 tons of weight and be operated with an accuracy of 5mm. It is designed to be able to anchor itself to the Russian segment in multiple locations, moving backwards and forwards (hand over hand) with a large range of motion.

 

 

As well as big payloads, it will be able to help cosmonauts move around when they are doing spacewalks (the arm can also be operated from outside by a very special remote control).

 

One of ERA’s first tasks, after commissioning, will be to help install a large radiator for the Multipurpose Laboratory Module. It will take five spacewalks to get the robotic arm fit for space operations, estimates ESA.

 

A consortium of European companies led by Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands designed and assembled ERA for the European Space Agency (ESA). It has largely been funded by the Dutch government.

 

“Every piece of ERA has undergone a rigorous analysis to confirm that it is fit for space after its prolonged shelf-life on Earth,” explains Philippe Schoonejans, ERA project manager.

 

Robotic arms

 

 

Already on the ISS are two other robotic arms: Canadarm2 and the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System. These play a role in berthing visiting vehicles and moving external payloads, but they work with the US and Japanese modules.