Schaumburg, IL – THK’s advanced technology has recently been applied to the area of space exploration. For use in experimental missions in outer space, THK has developed a robotic hand with small ball-screw actuators. This robotic hand is designed to safely assist astronauts in their work, as well as to enable work without the presence of an astronaut.
This July, THK’s robotic hand traveled onboard the cargo transporter KOUNOTOR13 (HTV3) to the International Space Station (ISS). A recent mission at the Japanese Experiment Module KIBO utilized an Astrobot called REXJ to study the viability of Astronauto Support Robots, or Astrobots. This mission was conducted using a standard payload unit attached to the exposed facility of the module. An extendable robot arm and tether systems moved cargo out of the pressurized and unpressurized logistics carrier and into the ISS. At the module, experiments were conducted to determine the extension, positioning and manipulation capability of the robot arm.
THK America, Inc.
www.thk.com
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