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APOD: 2008 April 1- New Space Station Robot Asks to be Called Dextre the Magnificent
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Credit & Copyright: Expedition 16 Crew,
NASA
Explanation:
In a surprising and potentially troubling request, the new space station robot known
as Dextre demanded that astronauts refer to it in the future at "Dextre the Magnificent."
Brandishing power tools that would make any
handyperson blush, the mobile servicing system thanked humans
for creating it and promised a glorious future where humans would
retain an important role in the
new robot order.
Happy April Fools Day
from the folks at
APOD.
The classic fable of humans mistakenly creating technological evildoers dates back
to
Frankenstein
and includes famous fictitious villains such as
HAL and the
Terminator.
Dextre, although real, is no Frankenstein, since its computer
intelligence is mainly geared toward allowing astronauts to control it remotely.
Dextre
was deployed last month to help build and service the
International Space Station.
As seen in the
above picture, Dextre is truly a
technological marvel,
wielding long arms capable of handling both small tools and large modules with
precision dexterity.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: international space station - ISS
Publications with words: international space station - ISS
See also:
- APOD: 2025 June 18 Á Space Station Silhouette on the Moon
- APOD: 2025 May 21 Á International Space Station Crosses the Sun
- The ISS Meets Venus
- Galaxies in Space
- APOD: 2025 January 5 Á Rocket Launch as Seen from the International Space Station
- APOD: 2023 November 19 Á Space Station, Solar Prominences, Sun
- Planet Earth at Night II