Gallery: Space shuttle Discovery’s non-human passenger
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ntThe space shuttle Discovery rocketed into Earth’s orbit Thursday with a different kind of passenger that isn’t human. It’s a humanoid robot called Robonaut 2 or R2 for short and will be carried by Discovery astronauts to the International Space Station where it will reside in a container, likely for several months, until it is unpacked and assembled for testing. Here’s more from NASA about R2.
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ntProbably the biggest difference between R2 and the astronauts is that R2 only has a one-way ticket.
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ntPhoto credits: NASA
ntThese aren’t ray guns but tools that R2 expects to be using in space. One of the robot’s principle tasks will be to assist astronauts during their space walks.
ntR2 does need to be dressed.
ntR2 can lift 20 pounds but NASA hopes testing at the space station will prove whether or not it can work with humans.
ntOf course, R2 can text and Tweet according to NASA.
ntR2 is placed on a pedistal for testing.
ntTechnicians are tweaking R2’s robotic arm.
ntThe long-range plan is to have robots like R2 land on hostile places and drive a buggy like this one called the Centaur 2.
ntR2 drives its buggy to the top of the hill.
ntAt a NASA press conference R2 is the center of attention.
