Robotic Arm Collection

Curiosity rover on Mars, artwork

Curiosity rover on Mars, artwork

Self-portrait of Curiosity rover on the surface of Mars
This self-portrait of NASAs Mars rover Curiosity combines dozens of exposures taken by the rovers Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) during the 177th Martian day, or sol

Self-portrait of Curiosity rover in Gale Crater on the surface of Mars
On Sol 84 (Oct. 31, 2012), the Curiosity rover used the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) to capture the set of thumbnail images stitched together to create this full-color self-portrait

SpaceX Dragon capsule at the ISS C016 / 4214
SpaceX Dragon capsule at the ISS. View from the International Space Station (ISS) of the Dragon cargo capsule from SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies)

Manipulator arm deployed during the second Space Shuttle flight, November 1981. Creator: NASA
Manipulator arm deployed during the second Space Shuttle flight, November 1981. The Canadarm or Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) is flown in space for the first time

Sample scoop and arm, Viking 1 Mission to Mars, 1976. Creator: NASA
Sample scoop and arm, Viking 1 Mission to Mars, 1976. The Viking 1 spacecraft, part of NASAs Viking programme, was the first spacecraft to land successfully on Mars and perform its mission

Assembly line in car production factory

Man supervising car production on assembly line

Illustration of articulated robot (robotic arm) picking up apple

The robotic arm of the Japanese Experiment Module assists in installing components
July 23, 2009 - The robotic arm of the Japanese Experiment Module or Kibo assists in the installation of MAXI payload on the Japanese Exposed Facility

The robotic Canadarm2 above Earth
June 30, 2005 - The Expedition 11 crew aboard the International Space Station flexes the robotic arm, Canadarm2, while flying approximately 225 miles above Cape Horn

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is grappled by the Canadarm2
May 25, 2012 - With the blackness of space and clouds over Earth forming a backdrop, the SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is grappled by the Canadarm2 robotic arm at the International Space

The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft in the grasp of the Canadarm2
May 25, 2012 - With clouds and land forming a backdrop, the SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is grappled by the Canadarm2 robotic arm at the International Space Station. Expedition

The Remote Manipulator System robotic arm hands-off an external stowage platform
August 14, 2007 - The Space Shuttle Endeavours Remote Manipulator System (RMS) robotic arm (left) moves away following the hand-off of an external stowage platform (ESP-3)

NASAs Curiosity rover climbing to the summit of Mount Sharp, its ultimate destination. The floor of Gale Crater, its landing place, is five kilometres below

The Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module in the grasp of the robotic Canadarm2
June 3, 2008 - In the grasp of the stations robotic Canadarm2, the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module (JPM) is moved from its stowage position in Space Shuttle Discoverys (STS-124)

The Mini Research Module 1 attached to the International Space Station
May 18, 2010 - In the grasp of the stations robotic Canadarm2, the Russian-built Mini-Research Module 1 (MRM-1) is attached to the Earth-facing port of the Zarya Functional Cargo Block (FGB)

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft during grappling operations with Canadarm2
May 25, 2012 - With clouds over Earth forming a backdrop, the SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is photographed during grappling operations with the Canadarm2 robotic arm at the International

Canadarm2 robotic arm prepares to release the Cygnus spacecraft
October 22, 2013 - The International Space Stations Canadarm2 prepares to release the Orbital Sciences Cygnus commercial craft

The payload bay of Space Shuttle Endeavour
August 14, 2007 - An external stowage platform (ESP-3) is photographed in the payload bay of Space Shuttle Endeavour while docked with the International Space Station

Space Shuttle Discovery backdropped by Earths horizon
September 2, 2009 - This scene, photographed from the International Space Station while docked with Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-128), shows the orbiter

The Japanese Experiment Module Exposed Facility in the grasp of the shuttles remote
July 18, 2009 - The Japanese Experiment Module Exposed Facility is pictured in the grasp of the Space Shuttle Endeavours remote manipulator system arm during robotics activity

A partial view of Space Shuttle Endeavours payload bay
July 29, 2009 - Backdropped by the blackness of space and Earths horizon, a partial view of Space Shuttle Endeavours payload bay, docking mechanism, vertical stabilizer

View of Space Shuttle Discovery over Earths horizon
April 6, 2010 - View of Space Shuttle Discovery over Earths horizon. Components visible on the shuttle are The Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM)

The Cygnus spacecraft in the grasp of Canadarm2
September 29, 2013 - The first Cygnus commercial cargo spacecraft in the grasp of the Canadarm2. Earths horizon and the blackness of space provide the backdrop for the scene

The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft
May 31, 2012 - The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft is pictured just prior to being released by the International Space Stations Canadarm2 robotic arm

NASAs Curiosity rover samples a rock on the floor of Gale Crater

A manned orbital maintenance platform approaches the Chandra X-ray Observatory
A manned orbital maintenance platform (OMP) approaches NASAs Chandra X-ray Observatory for repair and upgrade. Chandra is a space-based X-ray telescope that was launched in 1999

The Canadian-built Dextre robotic system in the grasp of the robotic Canadarm2
March 18, 2008 - In the grasp of the stations robotic Canadarm2, Dextre (center), also known as the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM)

Space Shuttle Endeavour, docked to the Destiny laboratory of the International Space
August 15, 2007 - Backdropped by a blue and white Earth and the blackness of space, Space Shuttle Endeavour, docked to the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station

Orbital maintenance platform in high Earth orbit
Typical configuration for a manned orbital maintenance platform (OMP) where it is docked with a free-flying crewed spacecraft

Space Shuttle Discoverys payload bay
December 10, 2006 - As seen through windows on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery, the payload bay is featured in this image photographed by a STS-116 crewmember during flight day two

The end effector of Endeavours robot arm appears amidst elements of the International
November 26, 2006 - Backdropped against Earths horizon and the blackness of space, the end effector of Endeavours Canadian-built robot arm appears amidst elements of the International Space Station

The Space Shuttle Endeavours Remote Manipulator System robotic arm moves an external
August 14, 2007 - Backdropped by a colorful Earth, the Space Shuttle Endeavours Remote Manipulator System (RMS) robotic arm moves an external stowage platform (ESP-3)

NASAs Curiosity Mars rover on planet Mars
April 27, 2014 - NASAs Curiosity Mars rover used the camera at the end of its arm in April and May 2014 to take dozens of component images combined into this self-portrait where the rover drilled

The Small Satellite Orbital Deployer in the grasp of a robotic arm
February 11, 2014 - The Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD), in the grasp of the Kibo laboratory robotic arm, as it deploys a set of NanoRacks CubeSats

The Canadarm2 mates the Express Logistics Carrier to the Outboard Payload Attachment
November 21, 2009 - The Canadarm2 or the Space Station Remote Manipulator System mates the Express Logistics Carrier (ELC) 2 to the Zenith / Outboard Payload Attachment System (PAS)

The Cygnus spacecraft attached to the Harmony Node in the grasp of Canadarm2
October 5, 2013 - Attached to the Harmony node, the first Cygnus commercial cargo spacecraft in the grasp of the Canadarm2. The thin line of Earths atmosphere provides the backdrop for the scene

The Integrated Cargo Carrier in the grasp of the shuttles remote manipulator system arm
July 19, 2009 - Backgrounded by a blue and white Earth, the remote manipulator system (RMS) arm of the Space Shuttle Endeavour

The aft section of the docked space shuttle Discovery and the stations robotic Canadarm2
April 10, 2010 - The aft section of the docked space shuttle Discovery and the stations robotic Canadarm2. The Red Sea, Sinai Peninsula (center) and Nile River (left)

Canadarm2 robotic arm releases the Cygnus spacecraft
October 22, 2013 - The International Space Stations Canadarm2 releases the Orbital Sciences Cygnus commercial craft. A blue and white part of Earth provides the backdrop for the scene

The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft is suspended in the grasp of the Candarm2
May 31, 2012 - The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft is suspended in the grasp of the Candarm2 robotic arm some 240 miles above Earth

The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft with Earths horizon in the background
May 25, 2012 - With darkness, Earths horizon and thin line of atmosphere forming a backdrop, the SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is grappled by the Canadarm2 robotic arm at the International

Curiosity the Mars Mountaineer
The Martian sun sets behind Curiosity as it struggles up the rugged slopes of Mount Sharp. If it succeeds in its climb, the rover will have completed the longest

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft berthed to the ISS
May 25, 2012 - The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is berthed to the Earth-facing side of the International Space Stations Harmony node

The Mini Research Module 1 segment of the International Space Station
May 18, 2010 - In the grasp of the Canadarm2, the Russian-built Mini-Research Module 1 (MRM-1) is transferred from space shuttle Atlantis payload bay to be permanently attached to the Earth-facing

A partial view of the Tranquility node in space shuttle Endeavours payload bay
February 8, 2010 - Backdropped by Earths horizon and the blackness of space, the Tranquility node in space shuttle Endeavours payload bay, vertical stabilizer, orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods

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"Exploring New Frontiers: The Robotic Arm Unveiled" From the vast red expanse of Mars to the intricate depths of space, robotic arms have become indispensable tools in our quest for knowledge. Just like the Curiosity rover on Mars, these mechanical wonders serve as extensions of our human curiosity and ingenuity. In a self-portrait captured on the surface of Mars, we witness the dexterity and precision of a robotic arm as it maneuvers with grace, and is through this remarkable technology that we are able to uncover secrets hidden within Gale Crater, expanding our understanding of the Red Planet. But it's not just on Mars where these marvels shine. From SpaceX Dragon capsules docking at the International Space Station to releasing the Hubble Space Telescope from Space Shuttle Atlantis' cargo bay, robotic arms play pivotal roles in advancing scientific exploration beyond Earth's boundaries. Looking back into history, we find ourselves amazed by NASA's manipulator arm deployed during their second Space Shuttle flight in 1981. This groundbreaking achievement paved the way for future missions and showcased humanity's ability to conquer new frontiers. Even earlier than that, during Viking 1 Mission to Mars in 1976, a sample scoop and arm were utilized to gather invaluable data about our neighboring planet. These early pioneers set the stage for modern-day advancements in robotics. The impact of robotic arms extends far beyond extraterrestrial endeavors. At NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, tests were conducted with a robotic antenna scanner – pushing technological boundaries right here on Earth. And it doesn't stop there; visitors at Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum experience firsthand what it feels like to operate these incredible machines during events like Mars Day. It sparks wonderment among all ages and inspires future generations towards careers that will shape tomorrow’s discoveries. With each passing day, breakthroughs continue unfolding before us.