Launched on July 21st 2021 from Kazakhstan, the European Robot Arm (ERA) and its home, the Multipurpose Laboratory Module, reached the International Space Station a good week after lift-off, joining its Canadian and Japanese counterparts which are servicing the US Operating Segment.

Meant to move astronauts and handle payloads up to 8000kg around a segment of the ISS, the 11-meter ERA was deployed for the very first time on April 28th 2022 during a 7 hours and 42 minutes spacewalk. This 250th Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) in support of station assembly, maintenance and upgrades monitored the first commanded ERA movements from its grapple fixtures after removing insulation covers and releasing launch locks.

Find out more:

• Live broadcasting of the Spacewalk
• Detailed explanation of the astronauts’ ERA configuration actions

ERA is SPACEBEL’s longest running project; we have been involved in its development, maintenance and upgrade since 1994 with various contributions:

• the man-machine interface (MMI) covering all ERA functions, the tool’s activity and status monitoring;
• the « Mission Planning and Training Equipment - MPTE », i.e. the ERA simulator allowing astronauts to train on Earth how to operate the robotic arm before their mission in Space;
• a simplified on-board simulator called « Refresher Trainer equipment - RTR » which will help the crew to continue to practice on board of the ISS in order to prepare for their duties with the robotic arm.