Canada developed the Mobile Servicing System, a space robotics system astronauts and cosmonauts use to assemble, maintain the International Space Station. The Mobile Servicing System (MSS) is a highly sophisticated system that consists of: a mobile base the 17.6-metre long Canadarm2 the soon-to-be-launched two-armed 3.5-metre long dexterous manipulator (Dextre)

The MSS is operated from within the Space Station by the crew, using four TV cameras and an advanced vision system. Its operations are also supported from the MSS Operations Complex (MOC) at Canadian Space Agency headquarters in Longueuil, Quebec. The MOC have four different activities and it is the main facility for mission planning, equipment monitoring, and training.

Canadarm2 and the MBS, its platform, are essential tools for the assembly of the ISS. The SPDM, a smaller two-arm robot will enable the Mobile Servicing System to perform delicate operations and reduce the amount of time that astronauts and cosmonauts spend working outside the ISS in the hostile space environment.

Canada is also supplying the Canadian Space Vision Systems (CSVS) to support robotic operations. Because it is difficult to sense depth in space, the CSVS will give astronauts precise information as to the position and orientation of the large objects that they are handling or docking using the Canadian robotic system thus increasing the efficiency and safety of their operations.

Caracteristics

	MBS	Canadarm2	DEXTRE
Length (metres)	5.7 X 4.5 X 2.9	17.6	3.5
Mass (approx.)	1,450 kg	1,641 kg	1,662 kg
Mass Handling Transportation Capacity	20,900 kg	116,000 kg	600 kg
Degrees-of-Freedom	Fixed	7	15
Peak Power (operational)	365 W	435 W	600 W
Average Power (keep alive)	365 W	1,200 W	600 W
Stopping Distance (Under Maximum Load)	-	0.6 m	0.15 m