Crew Maneuvers the Robotic Arm on Japanese Lab
June 8, 2008
The Associated Press
HOUSTON
Astronauts tried out the international space station’s newest piece of equipment Saturday, but it was a very limited test.
Space shuttle Discovery crew members Akihiko Hoshide and Karen Nyberg moved the robotic arm on the Japanese lab Kibo for the first time, moving it very slightly with a series of commands.
“The very first maneuver was completed successfully,” Hoshide said .
Full deployment of the 33-foot arm will be done after Discovery leaves the station next week. However, it won’t be used for any actual work until next year.
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