ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Japanese Remote Manipulator System

Okay kiddo, have you ever played with a toy robot or a remote-controlled car? The Japanese Remote Manipulator System is kind of like that, but it's not a toy, it's a super cool tool that astronauts use while working outside of the International Space Station.

Imagine you are an astronaut, floating in space outside the space station wearing your bulky spacesuit. Your hands and body are large and clumsy in your suit, so when you need to move a heavy object or fix something, it's really hard to do it by yourself. This is where the Japanese Remote Manipulator System comes in.

The system has two big robotic arms that look like giant caterpillars, they can move around very carefully and precisely to grab onto things. From inside the space station, another astronaut operates the arms using a special control panel. The operator can move each arm one at a time or control both arms at once.

The arms are super strong and can lift really heavy things, like satellite parts or equipment. They can even reach parts of the space station that the astronauts can't get to on their own. The arms have a camera on them, so the operator can see what they are doing and make sure they are moving the arms in the right way.

Using the Japanese Remote Manipulator System is like having a really smart and strong helper while you are working outside in space. It makes things easier and safer for the astronauts, so they can do important work like fixing things, moving parts around, or installing new equipment on the space station.

Overall, the Japanese Remote Manipulator System is an essential tool for astronauts working in space, and it's really cool to watch it in action!