Alex robotics training

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst in a mock-up of the European Cupola observatory module during robotics training in Houston, USA.

Robotic arms on the Station are used to grab and berth cargo vessels such as Japan’s HTV and the American Dragon and Cygnus. They can also help astronauts during spacewalks or even replace a spacewalk altogether.

In this simulation Alex is grappling the Japanese cargo ship HTV.