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Dextre, Space Electrician: Swapping Out Failed Circuit Breaker Boxes

A typical task on a space robot's "To Do" list

Repairing failed circuit-breaker boxes is a routine chore on board the International Space Station (ISS). The circuit breakers (also known by the technical term "Remote Power Control Modules," or RPCMs) are an important part of the ISS’s electrical system, and tend to fail occasionally. Up to now, swapping the boxes needed to be done by astronauts during spacewalks. That is, until the arrival of Dextre, the Space Station's robotic handyman.

Dextre was designed to do standard repairs on the Space Station's exterior to reduce the need for astronauts to do spacewalks (which always carry a certain level of risk), and free up the crew's time for more important activities, like conducting science experiments. Like the average home, as the Space Station ages, it will require more minor repairs and servicing to ensure that everything stays in working order. As the Station's resident handyman, Dextre will always be on call to keep the Station ship-shape.

See how Dextre will peform the swap

Working from his perch on the end of Canadarm2, Dextre will close in on his target, unbolt the first circuit breaker and remove it. He will then back up slightly to give himself more room to rotate at the waist in order to align his free hand with the second circuit breaker, and will grab it and slide it out. Afterwards, Dextre will move back again to give himself room to flip a second time so that he can align the first circuit breaker with the empty slot, and will slide it into place. He’ll then return to the first worksite and replace the second breaker.

Read more about Dextre’s first RPCM operations.