Canada’s main contribution to the ISS is
the Mobile Servicing System (MSS). The MSS will play a key
role in the construction of the station in orbit, as well as
in its continuing operation during the ten year planned life
of the facility. The MSS consists of equipment and
facilities both on the ground and on the ISS. The on-station
elements will include the Space Station Remote Manipulator
System (SSRMS)-a sophisticated space "arm" - and its Mobile
Remote Servicer Base System (MRSBS), a mobile platform to
support the SSRMS. Canada will also provide the Special
Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) a robotic "hand" that
works with the SSRMS. The SSRMS will be used for the
assembly and maintenance of the ISS. CSA is also developing
the Canadian Space Vision System, which astronauts and
cosmonauts will use, to support the SSRMS with large
objects. The MSS is critical ISS equipment. It is needed to
build the ISS and to maintain it once is commissioned. Use
of the MSS will reduce the amount of time, the astronauts
and cosmonauts are required to spend working outside the ISS
in the hostile space environment. The MSS was designed and
built by Spar Aerospace under contract to the Nation
Research Council and was Canada’s contribution to NASA’s
Space Shuttle Program.
Below: The Mobile Servicing System & The SSRMS
and The SPDM
 
Diagram and Techincal Details on the
MSS
|
|
Remote Manipulator System
|
Dexterous Manipulator
|
Base System
|
|
Arm Length
|
17.6 M
|
3.5 m (linear stroke)
|
5.7m x 4.5m x2.9m
|
|
Mass (approx.)
|
1,500 Kg
|
1,540 Kg
|
1,450 Kg
|
|
Mass Handling/Transporation Capacity
|
100,000 Kg
|
600 Kg
|
20,900 Kg
|
|
Degrees of Freedom
|
7
|
15
|
Fixed
|
|
Peak Power (operational)
|
2,000 W
|
2000 W
|
825 W
|
|
Avg. Power (keep alive)
|
435 W
|
500W
|
365 W
|
|
Applied Tip Load Range
|
0 - 1,000 N
|
1 - 111 N
|
N/A
|
|
Stopping Distance (under max. load)
|
0.6 M
|
0.05 M
|
N/A
|
The Mobile Servicing Center
The Space Station Remate Manipulator
System
|
![[Picture]](spinglob.gif)
