Space History Photo: Bob Oldrieve Using Manipulator Arms

This 1961 photos shows hot laboratory supervisor Bob Oldrieve uses manipulator arms to inspect materials inside a hot cell. (Image credit: NASA.)

In this historical 1961 photo from the U.S. space agency, Bob Oldrieve, a hot laboratory supervisor, uses manipulator arms to inspect radioactive materials within a hot cell. The pliers-type "hand" is visible inside the window. Operators became so skillful in operating the manipulators that some were even able to thread a needle with them.

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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the U.S. government agency in charge of the civilian space program as well as aeronautics and aerospace research.

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