Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Space Station's Robot Gets Eyes, Set of Tools

CAPE CANAVERAL -- Spacewalking astronauts stepped outside Monday night and gave the space station's new robot some eyes and a set of tools.

It was the third spacewalk of the shuttle Endeavour's visit to the station, each aimed at putting together Dextre, the giant robot. The last time astronauts floated out, Dextre got arms. This time, the robot got a tool belt and two cameras that will serve as eyes -- interestingly, at waist level.

Dextre, a Canadian Space Agency contribution that cost more than $200 million, is designed to assist spacewalking astronauts and, eventually, to take over some of their chores. Its designers envision the robot one day replacing batteries and other space station parts -- it can lift as much as 1,300 pounds -- and also performing fine precision tasks such as handling bolts.

NEW YORK -- Three more bodies were pulled from the rubble at the site of a crane collapse that obliterated a townhouse and severely damaged other buildings.

Six construction workers and a woman in town for St. Patrick's Day were killed Saturday when the crane broke away from an apartment tower under construction and toppled onto buildings as far as a block away.

A preliminary investigation found that the crane toppled after a steel collar used to tie it to the side of the building fell as workers attempted to install it. When the equipment fell, it damaged a lower steel collar that was a major anchor securing the tower crane. Investigators say that with the elimination of the lower support, the counterweights at the top of the crane's tower caused it to fall.

Ship's Pilot Charged in Bay Crash

SAN FRANCISCO -- The pilot of a ship that spilled 58,000 gallons of fuel oil into San Francisco Bay after crashing into a bridge last November has been charged in U.S. District Court with criminal negligence and breaking environmental laws. Capt. John Cota faces misdemeanor charges. Cota was at the helm of the container ship Cosco Busan during the collision with the Bay Bridge on Nov. 7. He faces up to one year in jail and more than $100,000 in fines.

CIA Expands Insurance Coverage

The CIA announced that it will now pay the full cost of legal liability insurance for about two-thirds of the agency workforce. The CIA had been paying only half of the $300 annual premium. The insurance comes from private companies to cover legal expenses that arise out from actions undertaken in the course of a CIA officer's official duties.

-- From News Services