29/06/2026 22:44 - Tecnologia
Astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expedition 74 are making final preparations for an emergency spacewalk. Their objective is to repair a malfunction in the Canadarm2, the station's primary robotic arm. This device, a marvel of engineering provided by the Canadian Space Agency, is indispensable for the daily operations and survival of the orbiting laboratory.
The Canadarm2 is not just a tool; it is the station's main handling mechanism for incoming vehicles. Without it, the ISS cannot capture cargo ships delivering essential supplies like food, water, and scientific experiments.
The Canadarm2, technically known as the Mobile Servicing System (MSS), was installed on the station in April 2001 during the STS-100 mission flown by the Space Shuttle Endeavour. It represents a significant technological leap from the original Canadarm used on the space shuttles.
This robotic arm is a permanent fixture on the station, capable of moving end-over-end to reach different parts of the exterior structure. It acts as a giant space crane, moving equipment and assisting astronauts during their daring walks in the vacuum of space.
Repairing the Canadarm2 requires a physical intervention outside the station, known as an EVA (Extravehicular Activity) or spacewalk. This is one of the most dangerous tasks in space exploration. Astronauts must work in a harsh environment featuring a hard vacuum, extreme temperature swings from -157°C to 121°C, and the constant threat of space debris.
The preparation involves rigorous planning:
To understand the scale, the ISS is a multinational collaborative project involving space agencies from the United States (NASA), Russia (Roscosmos), Europe (ESA), Japan (JAXA), and Canada (CSA). It orbits Earth at an altitude of approximately 400 km, traveling at a staggering speed of 27,600 km/h. This allows the crew to witness 16 sunrises and sunsets every single day.
Since November 2000, the station has been continuously inhabited, serving as a unique microgravity laboratory for scientific research that cannot be conducted on Earth.
Spacewalking astronauts wear pressurized suits called EMUs (Extravehicular Mobility Units). These suits provide life support and protection, but the pressurized gloves significantly reduce tactile sensation, making delicate repair work on the Canadarm2 a true test of skill and endurance.
Sources: NASA, Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Infobae América.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
