(CP)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008

MONTREAL—Astronaut Julie Payette says Dextre, the new Canadian robot in space, has been fully assembled and is ready to flex its muscles.
Payette told a briefing at the Canadian Space Agency near Montreal the assembly of the $200-million robot was completed during the last of three spacewalks last night.

Payette said the robot is performing perfectly, and is ready to be used in space for services and maintenance.
She noted astronauts aboard the International Space Station are to test all 14 joints on the robot today to make sure they move in all directions on command.
Dextre has seven joints on each of its two arms.
Payette said the robot then will be grabbed by Canadarm2 on the space station and placed on “Destiny,” the American laboratory, where it will be parked until needed.