Contributions to Space Exploration

• Allowed fewer accidents
• After the Challenger disaster of 1986, which killed 6 people, and the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster of 2003, the Canadarm was paired with the OBSS (Orbiter Boom Sensor System) to be able to reach further out and be able to fix harder problems when attached to a shuttle.
• Increased satellite lifetime
• Without the Canadarm, it would be harder to capture satellites, so it would be harder to repair them. Because of this, they could become dysfunctional, so they could become space junk. With the Canadarm, satellites can be captured so that they can be repaired and so they can continue to function.
• Less space junk
• The Canadarm can capture objects in space like satellites or telescopes and repair them, so a non-functioning man-made satellite isn’t orbiting the Earth. Also, because of that, there won’t be as much space junk, so a shuttle en route to the ISS has a lower chance of bumping into a piece of space junk.

What is the Greatest Contribution to Space Exploration?

I do not think there is a "greatest contribution". I instead think all 3 are equally important because they all play into each other. When it increases the lifetime of satellites, it causes less space junk and allows fewer disasters by lowering the chance of a collision between a piece of space junk and a shuttle. When it causes less space junk by keeping satellites and telescopes working, it increases the lifetime of satellites and allows for fewer disasters. This is why I don’t believe there is a “greatest contribution” and that they are all equally important because they play into each other.