On April 19, 2001, the crew of Space Shuttle Endeavour installed the Canadarm2, a Canadian-built robotic arm, on the International Space Station (ISS) during mission STS-100. Designed by MDA Space (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates), the arm has been a critical tool for station operations.
Over its 25-year lifespan, Canadarm2 has performed over 50 major operations, including capturing and berthing cargo spacecraft like SpaceX's Dragon and Northrop Grumman's Cygnus. It also assists astronauts during spacewalks, moving them around the station's truss structure, and inspects the station's exterior for micrometeoroid damage.
As of June 2026, the arm remains operational, though some components have been replaced over time. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) continues to support its maintenance, with plans for its use until the ISS's planned decommissioning in 2031.
