From Newsgroup: sci.space.news

Canadian Space Agency
Longueuil, Quebec

April 19, 2011

Canadarm2 Turns 10: Canadian Space Agency Celebrates a Decade of Success

Ten years ago today, Canadarm2 was launched to the International Space
Station (ISS) aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.  A larger, more robust
successor to the Shuttle's Canadarm, Canadarm2 has provided a full decade of
flawless service as the Station's sophisticated "construction
crane," having
assembled the ISS module by module in space.

Canadarm2 has unloaded hundreds of tons of equipment and supplies ferried by
the shuttle and assisted almost 100 spacewalks. Endeavour's last flight
later this month will mark Canadarm2's 28th Shuttle mission. Additionally,
the robotic arm performed two "cosmic catches" where it captured,
docked and
later released two unpiloted Japanese resupply ships (HTV-1 and HTV-2).

Built for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in Brampton, Ontario, by MDA,
Canadarm2 was installed on the ISS by astronaut Chris Hadfield during the
first spacewalk by a Canadian. He was assisted in this feat by NASA
Astronaut Scott Parazynski. In 2006, Steve MacLean, former astronaut and
current President of the Canadian Space Agency became the first Canadian
ever to operate Canadarm2 in space. CSA astronauts Julie Payette and Robert
Thirsk are the only other Canadians to have ever operated Canadarm2 in
space. The robotic arm is routinely operated by flight controllers at NASA's
Johnson Space Centre and the Canadian Space Agency's headquarters in
Saint-Hubert, Quebec.

Canadarm2's role on the International Space Station will expand as the
orbital lab nears completion: in addition to performing routine maintenance,
the robotic arm will make more frequent cosmic catches. When the Space
Shuttle retires, reusable commercial spacecraft, like SpaceX's Dragon and
Orbital's Cygnus, will be used to bring supplies and equipment to the ISS.
Canadarm2 will capture each of these visiting vehicles, as well as the
Japanese HTV transport vessels. In late 2011 and early 2012, Canadarm2 will
capture a series of 6 commercial spacecraft in just 7 months, beginning with
the Dragon spacecraft, currently scheduled to arrive in October 2011.

Related videos can be found at the following links:

* The ISS Expedition 27 Crew Pay Tribute to Canadarm2
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gZaVL26YuM

* Canadarm2: A Decade of Innovation and Excellence
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjcojT0RUvc

* Canadarm2: Canada's Continuing Legacy in Space
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEK6uGuV83g

* ISS Program Manager Mike Suffredini Reflects on Canadarm2's 10 Years of
Success
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8IHJVDKohU

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For more information:

Canadian Space Agency
Media Relations Office
(450) 926-4370
www.asc-csa.gc.ca

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