High Tech Space Tools

Down on Earth, we are inundated with infomercials extolling the space-age technology now available for your garage/kitchen. Science channels on television describe the modern marvels made possible by research conducted in space. Sometimes, though, space requires good old-fashioned tools. While attempting to deploy the new Canadian built robot called Dextre, astronauts found one of it’s robotic arms stuck. Fortunately, alongside the space shuttle’s spare tire and scissor jack, the astronaut’s were able to locate a crow-bar to "force" Dextre free. The robot is expected to assist with future space walks and eventually perform autonomous work external to the ISS.