European Robotic Arm
A robotic servicing system, which will be used in the assembly and servicing of the Russian segment of the International Space Station
ERA will be able to work with the new Russian airlock, being able to transfer small payloads directly from inside to outside the ISS and vice versa. This will reduce the EVA set-up time for astronauts and allow for cooperative tasks for ERA with astronauts.
Another important task for ERA will be to transport astronauts or cosmonauts like a cherry picker crane to the position where they are supposed to perform their work, or from one external location to another. This again saves time and effort during spacewalk activities.
ERA will use its infrared cameras for carrying out inspections of space station external surfaces.
Once ERA reaches the International Space Station, the Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) will be the home base from which it operates.
The arm consists of 2 end-effectors, 2 wrists, 2 limbs and 1 elbow joint together with electronics and cameras. Both ends act as either a 'hand' for the robot, or the base from which it can operate.
| Utilisation relevant data | |
|---|---|
| Launch configuration | |
| Launched in so called «Charlie Chaplin» configuration with power off | |
| Launch vehicle: | Proton |
| Launch site: | Baikonur Cosmodrome |
| Launch date: | 2013 |
| On-orbit configuration | |
| Attached to different locations on the Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | |
| Total length: | 11 300 mm |
| Reach: | 9 700 mm |
| Tip position accuracy: | 5 mm |
| Maximum tip speed: | 100 mm/s |
| Mass budget | |
| Launch mass: | 630 kg |
| Mission handling capability: | 8 000 kg |
| Communications infrastructure | |
| Power, data and video signals cabling and special fixtures on End Effector and Base point. | |
| Electrical power | |
| Average operation power: | 475 W (120 V dc) |
| Peak operation power: | 800 W (120Vdc) |
| Main construction materials | |
| Limb: | Carbon fibre tube and aluminum interfaces |
| Wrist, Elbow and End Effector: | Composed of many different materials |
| Thermal Protection: | Beta Cloth Blankets |
| Main contractor | |
| Dutch Space (Leiden, The Netherlands), leading a consortium of many subcontractors |
Last update: 31 July 2012
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