Longueuil, Quebec, May 2, 2013 – Today, the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, unveiled the permanent Canadarm display at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Astronaut Chris Hadfield assisted in the inauguration of the exhibit from orbit as Commander of the International Space Station—a distinguished role made possible due in part to the contributions of the iconic Canadarm.
After travelling 624 million kilometres and logging a total of 944 workdays in space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, the Canadarm has returned home. In close collaboration with the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, the CSA created an interactive exhibit displaying the Canadarm, which allows visitors to navigate through the history of the robotic arm, including: its greatest achievements and how its legacy continues to live on today in medical robots used in neurological and pediatric surgery.
In 2011, the Canadarm wrapped up 30 years of operations supporting the U.S. Space Shuttle Program. Working in close collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the CSA negotiated the return of Endeavour's Canadarm. Upon its return, the 15-metre arm was sent first to MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) in Brampton, for a thorough evaluation and preparation for its public display.
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