Xinhua
05 Jul 2021, 23:35 GMT+10
by Xinhua writers Wang Chenxi, Li Guoli
BEIJING, July 5 (Xinhua) -- The mechanical arm installed on China's space station core module Tianhe has played an important role in assisting the astronauts with their extravehicular activities (EVAs) on Sunday.
The mechanical arm is designed to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the space station in orbit, to help the astronauts in EVAs, such as the assembly, construction, maintenance, and repair of the space station, and support space applications.
CRAWLING ARM
The 10.2-meter-long robotic arm installed on the Tianhe module can carry up to 25 tonnes of weight. It consists of seven joints, two limbs, two sets of extension gears, two sets of end cameras and end effectors (also known as end-of-arm tooling), one set of central controllers, and an elbow camera.
With limbs and joints, the mechanical arm can work as a human arm with a shoulder, an elbow, and a wrist. By rotating each joint, it can grasp the equipment and operate at any angle and position.
"The end effector of the arm can dock with a target adapter installed on the outer surface of the spacecraft. By docking and separation of the end effector and target adapter, the arm can crawl and move on the surface of the space station," said Wang Youyu, a mechanical arm designer at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).
In a computer illustrated video issued by the CAST, the arm, like an inchworm crawling with its head and rear, uses the two end effectors to move between the surface target adapters and reach multiple positions in the outer surface of the space station, where it can conveniently do its jobs.
In addition to working independently, the core module arm can also combine with the mechanical arms installed on the lab modules, which will likely be launched next year. The combined arm can reach a working diameter of 15 meters.
SPACE CONSTRUCTION
With a design life of 15 years, load capacity of 25 tonnes, and tip positioning accuracy of 45 millimeters, the mechanical arm installed on the Tianhe module can realize long-range, large-load operations and small-range, detailed operations.
The arm is designed for module transposition, astronauts' EVAs, extravehicular cargo handling, space station status inspection, and maintenance of large equipment, the CAST said.
For example, two lab modules will dock with the core module and form a T-shape complex. Restricted by the attitude control of the lab modules, they can't directly dock with the side docking ports of the core module.
Instead, each lab module has to dock with the front docking port of the core module, and then a smaller mechanical arm moves it to dock with the side port. The arm installed on the core module can also do the job as a backup.
Yang Hong, the chief designer of the space station at the CAST, said when a spacecraft is approaching to dock or in need of repair, maintenance, and supplies, the large-scale arm in the core module can help to secure the spacecraft and facilitate the procedure. The space station can be viewed as a homeport in space.
ASTRONAUT HELPER
The mechanical arm would reduce the burden of astronauts in extravehicular missions as much as possible, said Yang.
The end effector can dock with a foot restraint platform, where astronauts can stand. They can use the arm to send themselves to required locations.
"It can transfer the astronauts in a wide range so that they can easily reach the operation position during EVAs," he added.
The arm integrates mechanical engineering, mechanics, material, control, electronics, information, vision, and computer sciences technologies. With the ability of precise operation and visual recognition, it is capable of autonomous analysis and remotely controlled by astronauts.
Besides EVAs, the arm can also help astronauts transfer the solar wings of the core module and install the payloads on the outer surface of the station.
Equipped with cameras on the two ends and the elbow, it can also carry out extravehicular examinations for the astronauts.
"There are several areas on the station that need to be regularly checked by the robotic arm," said Hu Chengwei, another mechanical arm designer at the CAST.
"For instance, before the launch of the Tianzhou-2 cargo craft, we used it to monitor and evaluate the condition of the rear docking port of the core module in preparation for docking with Tianzhou-2," he added.
Get a daily dose of Shanghai Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Shanghai Sun.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced profound concern over the escalating human toll in Gaza, as...
LONDON, U.K.: Daniel Kretinsky's path to owning Royal Mail is nearly complete, as his firm EP Group announced this week that all regulatory...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Major League Baseball (MLB) players now earn an average of over US$5 million per year for the first time,...
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania: The owners of Pennsylvania's largest former coal power plant plan to turn it into a US$10 billion natural...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Many government workers who help run Head Start, a federally funded preschool program, have been put on leave. The...
LONDON/DETROIT: As U.S. automakers brace for the financial impact of new 25 percent tariffs, car dealers with inventory built before...
SINGAPORE: BOC Aviation is betting big on the future of air travel, placing major orders with both Airbus and Boeing as it moves to...
HANOI, Vietnam: Brazil's largest meatpacker JBS is making a bold move into Southeast Asia, betting on Vietnam as a strategic hub for...
TOKYO, Japan: Toyota is showing signs of a steady rebound in its home market, posting a second straight month of rising global output...
NEW DELHI, India: India is making a calculated trade move to avoid a tariff showdown with Washington, offering key agricultural concessions...
(Photo credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images) Denny Hamlin won the race off pit road, roared away on a two-lap overtime shootout and found...
This photo taken on Sept. 17, 2024 shows a container terminal in Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)HONG KONG, April 6 (Xinhua)...