Canada - Spar Aerospace signs $170 million contract to build space robot
Canada Spar Aerospace signs $170 million contract to build space robot
A $170-million contract to build a new generation of the Canada space arm will keep Canadian companies on the leading edge of the robotics industry, says Colin Watson, president and chief executive officer of Spar Aerospace Ltd. The robotic device follows on Spar's development of the robot arm used on the US space shuttle. "SPDM really takes robotics to the next level in space, "said Watson. "It will become the world's hardiest maintenance person, relieving astronauts from performing routine tasks in the hazardous environment of space." Among the companies participating in the project are SED Systems Inc. of Saskatoon, IMP Group International Inc. of Halifax, CAE Inc. of Toronto and CAL Corp. of Ottawa. Watson said that, like the space arm, the project will spark a host of spinoff developments in the robotics field. Industry Minister John Manley said the government is committed to the robotic development as part of its contribution to the building of an international space station. The project will produce 600 high-tech jobs, Manley said. The device has a head, torso, two arms, two"grippers" that act as its hands and one leg. It also has sensing technology to allow it to delicately grip and turn. The first components of the robotic device will be installed by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield in a mission planned for the end of the decade.
(Source: BRA)
