Gallery: Space shuttle Discovery's non-human passenger

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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
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
R2 does need to be dressed.

Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)
Caption by: Andy Smith
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
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
Of course, R2 can text and Tweet according to NASA.

Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)
Caption by: Andy Smith
R2 is placed on a pedistal for testing.

Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)
Caption by: Andy Smith
Technicians are tweaking R2's robotic arm.

Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)
Caption by: Andy Smith
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
R2 drives its buggy to the top of the hill.

Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)
Caption by: Andy Smith
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
R2 steals the show from NASA deputy director Ellen Ocho.

Published: February 25, 2011 -- 07:42 GMT (23:42 PST)
Caption by: Andy Smith