About

About the Canadarms

What are they?

Canadarm:

The Shuttle Remote Manipulator System, nicknamed the Canadarm, was a remote-controlled robotic arm. It was used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for 30 years between 1981 and 2011 and it was built by Spar Aeronautics Limited in 1981. It performed multiple tasks during its time used by NASA, such as helping with the construction of the International Space Station, capturing and repairing satellites, docking shuttles, etc. It's currently retired at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, ON.

Canadarm2:

The Canadarm2 is, as the name suggests, the second generation of the Canadarm. Its first mission was on STS-100 in 2001. It is 17m long when fully extended. It helped with the ISS's primary construction and continues to help around the station, among other things it does, such as supplies and equipment movement, as well as handling payloads.

Canadarm3:
The 3rd generation of the Canadarm is in production and will be based on the Lunar Gateway, an upcoming space station that will orbit the Moon.

Developers

Canadarm:
Spar Aeronautics Ltd. (the Space Robotics Division acquired by MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., in 1999), CAE Electronics Ltd., DSMA Atcon Ltd.

Canadarm2:

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (prime contractor).

Canadarm3:

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (prime contractor).