(The Canadian Press) – 2 hours ago
The head of the Canadian Space Agency says discussions are taking place about how the Canadarm can be used on commercial spacecraft.
But Steve MacLean says he doesn't know whether the robotic arm will actually be acquired by private companies.
He says it all depends on what the needs are for the various vehicles currently being built by a number of American firms.
SpaceX, one U.S. company, launched its Dragon space capsule on board a Falcon 9 rocket in December 2010.
SpaceX's goal is to ship astronauts to the International Space Station when the U.S. shuttles retire this year.
MacLean made the comment today during an online news conference to mark the 10th anniversary of Canadarm2 — the robotic arm on the International Space Station.
It was on April 19, 2001, that Canadarm2 was launched to the space station on board Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield connected the robotic arm to the orbiting space lab during the first space walk by a Canadian three days later.
The head of the Canadian Space Agency says discussions are taking place about how the Canadarm can be used on commercial spacecraft.
But Steve MacLean says he doesn't know whether the robotic arm will actually be acquired by private companies.
He says it all depends on what the needs are for the various vehicles currently being built by a number of American firms.
SpaceX, one U.S. company, launched its Dragon space capsule on board a Falcon 9 rocket in December 2010.
SpaceX's goal is to ship astronauts to the International Space Station when the U.S. shuttles retire this year.
MacLean made the comment today during an online news conference to mark the 10th anniversary of Canadarm2 — the robotic arm on the International Space Station.
It was on April 19, 2001, that Canadarm2 was launched to the space station on board Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield connected the robotic arm to the orbiting space lab during the first space walk by a Canadian three days later.