Canadarm2 Project
Developing space grade wire harnesses for Canadarm2, a second-generation robotic arm used by NASA for their space missions.
Canadarm2 is a second-generation robotic arm used by NASA for their space missions. The robotic arm performs crucial tasks such as maintenance and repair on space shuttles and the International Space Station. Some of the most crucial components of the Canadarm2 were the wire harnesses, test equipment and grapple fixture, which were under development.
Challenge and Solutions
The organization leading the development needed a supplier that can build space-grade wire harnesses for the connector saver and the Power and Video Grapple Fixture (PVGF). Furthermore, Canadarm2 needed to undergo extensive testing before each mission, and a supplier was needed to build the test equipment and test racks.
Kanata Electronic Services provided wire harnesses for the connector saver and multiple 20ft long harnesses for the grapple fixture. Kanata also built electronic boxes and testing equipment used in the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for the Canadarm2.
Results
Since then, Canadarm2 has supported dozens of missions. The success of Canadarm2 helped put Canada at the forefront of innovation and ingenuity in the space sector. The next generation Canadarm 3 is under development to support the Lunar Gateway for the Artemis program.
