And while I'm at it, ok so the piece it grapples is a grapple pin, but where
did the word that sounds like end-effector come from?

Strange terminology.
Brian

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From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Brian Gaff" wrote in message
...
Well as I recall it has wires that tighten around things.

I know that there have been issues with the wires needing lubrication. I'm
sure there are details about how it works on the net.
Brian

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From the sofa of Brian Gaff -

Blind user, so no pictures please!
wrote in message
...
I guess that's what it's called. The manipulator arm that was on the
shuttle,
and the one that's now on the ISS. I was wondering how it grabbed onto
whatever
it was supposed to? Did anything that it was supposed to manipulate have
some
sort of a standardized attachment for it to grip? often see it with a
cylindrical end. It didn'tuse suction did it? Can you even use suction in
what's
already a vacuum?

Also, given all the articulating joints on the arm, I have to believe
there's a
lot of lubrication? If so, how does it not freeze up or melt down in the
space
environment? Thanks.