Artist's impression of the European Robotic Arm (ERA)

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.