During a routine “walk‑off” maneuver, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) attempted to reposition the 58‑foot‑long Canadarm2 robotic arm. After the operation, the arm and its mobile transporter—used to guide the arm along the station’s main truss—could no longer be moved.
Canadarm2, supplied by the Canadian Space Agency, is a modern engineering marvel that can travel around the exterior of the ISS like an inchworm. Both ends of the arm are essentially identical, allowing it to reach equipment and crew on the station’s outer surface.
The incident was reported by Ars Technica, noting that the arm and transporter had become immobile following the walk‑off. No further details on the cause or the impact on station operations were provided in the brief report.
Canadarm2 has long been a key tool for the ISS, enabling the transfer of supplies, the installation of new modules, and the assistance of astronauts during spacewalks. Its ability to move freely around the station’s structure makes it indispensable for routine maintenance and scientific work.
At present, NASA has not released additional information about the malfunction or the steps being taken to restore the arm’s mobility. The incident highlights the challenges of operating complex robotic systems in the harsh environment of space.
<small>Source: Ars Technica — read the original story there.</small>
