Canadarm Deployment in Space, 1981 National Historic Event
© Canadian Space Agency / Ingenium
The Canadarm deployment in space in 1981 was designated as a national historic event in 2025.
Historical importance: the development and construction of a highly sophisticated and manoeuvrable robotic arm in the 1970s, and its first voyage into space in 1981 launched the beginning of a new era in Canadian space exploration.
Commemorative plaque: no plaque installedFootnote 1
Canadarm Deployment in Space, 1981
The development and construction of a highly sophisticated and manoeuvrable robotic arm called the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) in the 1970s, known as “Canadarm,” was the culmination of decades of space-age scientific research and cooperation between the Canadian scientific establishment, government, and industry. On its first voyage into space in 1981 aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, and in the decades that followed, Canadarm, emblazoned with the word “Canada” and the national flag, served as an inspiration to Canadians. It made a signature contribution to the space programs of Canada, the United States, and the international community by deploying, capturing, and repairing satellites, assisting astronauts with scientific experiments, and moving cargoes in space.
In the 1950s, as the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a “space race” during the Cold War, Canada began its own satellite program, allied to the American space program. In 1962, Canada’s first satellite, Alouette 1, built by the National Research Council (NRC) and Canadian industry, was launched into orbit by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), marking Canada’s entry into the space age. Also, many Canadian scientists and engineers participated in the American human spaceflight program that culminated in the successful Apollo 11 mission to the Moon in 1969. This was one factor that led to talks between Canada and the United States for Canada to build a shuttle remote manipulator system, a high-tech robotic arm to be sent into space aboard the space shuttles being built in the 1970s for NASA.
© Canadian Space Agency
© Canadian Space Agency
The NRC and Toronto’s Spar Aerospace Limited began developing the robotic arm in the early 1970s, and by 1974 Canada announced its first national civilian space policy. Soon after, NASA officially invited Canada to participate in its space shuttle program, leading to bilateral agreements in 1975 and 1976 between the NRC and NASA for Canada to build the shuttle remote manipulator system. With increased federal funding for the Canadian space program and collaboration between NRC engineers, scientists, and 25 high-technology Canadian industrial contractors including Spar Aerospace Limited, the completed Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) was shipped to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in 1981. At the Spar ceremony prior to shipping, the SRMS became known as “Canadarm.”
Canadarm was a robotic arm designed to fit onto the space shuttle and to be manipulated by astronauts within the shuttle. It was 15.2 m long and 38 cm in diameter, weighed 410 kg, and was able to lift and move payloads weighing up to 30,000 kg on Earth and 266,000 kg in the weightlessness of space. Canadarm was fitted onto Space Shuttle Columbia for its November 1981 voyage. Canadarm performed admirably on its first mission, and images of Canadarm juxtaposed with the vastness of space and Earth in the background brought immense pride to Canadians. The successful 1981 mission guaranteed Canada’s continued participation in the American space program, with the sale of additional robotic arms for NASA space shuttles, continued access to America’s rocket launching capability for Canadian satellites, and participation in the NASA human spaceflight program. From 1981 to 2011, Canadarm was utilized in 90 space shuttle missions, such as deploying and repairing the Hubble Space Telescope and assembling the International Space Station, where Canadarm2 is now in operation.
“Canadarm is more than just a technological achievement; it is a symbol of Canadian ingenuity, precision, and reliability on the global stage. Its success not only inspired generations of engineers and scientists but also cemented Canada’s reputation as a key player in space exploration. Since its debut in space in 1981 on the Space Shuttle, Canadarm demonstrated that Canada could contribute cutting-edge technology to humanity’s greatest challenges, paving the way for innovations like Canadarm2 on the International Space Station and the upcoming Canadarm3 on Gateway."
This press backgrounder was prepared at the time of the Ministerial announcement in 2025.
The National Program of Historical Commemoration relies on the participation of Canadians in the identification of places, events and persons of national historic significance. Any member of the public can nominate a topic for consideration by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
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