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Gallery: Space shuttle Discovery's non-human passenger

1 of 12 NEXT PREV
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    The 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.

    Probably the biggest difference between R2 and the astronauts is that R2 only has a one-way ticket.

    Photo credits: NASA

    Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6197445.jpg

    These 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.

    Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6197427.jpg

    R2 does need to be dressed.

    Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6197435.jpg

    R2 can lift 20 pounds but NASA hopes testing at the space station will prove whether or not it can work with humans.

    Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6197429.jpg

    R2 has a cell phone but does it know how to use it?

    Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6197430.jpg

    Of course, R2 can text and Tweet according to NASA.

    Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6197428.jpg

    R2 is placed on a pedistal for testing.

    Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6197433.jpg

    Technicians are tweaking R2's robotic arm.

    Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6197426.jpg

    The long-range plan is to have robots like R2 land on hostile places and drive a buggy like this one called the Centaur 2.

    Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6197432.jpg

    R2 drives its buggy to the top of the hill.

    Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6197431.jpg

    At a NASA press conference R2 is the center of attention.

    Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6197434.jpg

    R2 steals the show from NASA deputy director Ellen Ocho.

    Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

1 of 12 NEXT PREV
Andy Smith

By Andy Smith | February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST) | Topic: Innovation

  • 6197425.jpg
  • 6197445.jpg
  • 6197427.jpg
  • 6197435.jpg
  • 6197429.jpg
  • 6197430.jpg
  • 6197428.jpg
  • 6197433.jpg
  • 6197426.jpg
  • 6197432.jpg
  • 6197431.jpg
  • 6197434.jpg

The space shuttle Discovery rocketed into Earth's orbit Thursday with a different kind of passenger that isn't human.

Read More Read Less

The 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.

Probably the biggest difference between R2 and the astronauts is that R2 only has a one-way ticket.

Photo credits: NASA

Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)

Caption by: Andy Smith

1 of 12 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Innovation CXO Digital Transformation Tech Industry Smart Cities Cloud
Andy Smith

By Andy Smith | February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST) | Topic: Innovation

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