July 29.– The European Robotic Arm (ERA) that was launched into space eight days ago reached the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, at approximately 3:29 PM CEST.
The ERA was launched on a Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan, last Wednesday on 21 July, according to a press release from the European Space Agency (ESA).
The 11-metre-long robot travelled attached to what will be its home base – the Multipurpose Laboratory Module, also called ‘Nauka,’ ESA said.
The new robot arm is part of efforts to extend the life of the ISS, which is over two decades old now. “Our home in space is constantly being improved,” said ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration David Parker.
(...)
[ Full text ]