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Canadian engineers apply software fix to Canadarm 2 replacement hand

The Canadarm 2 reaches out to capture the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft and prepare it to be pulled into its port on the International Space Station on April 17, 2015. T

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The Canadarm 2 reaches out to capture the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft and prepare it to be pulled into its port on the International Space Station on April 17, 2015. T . THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NASA

The Canadian Space Agency says it used a “creative software solution” to fix a replacement part on the Canadarm 2, postponing the need to send astronauts on a spacewalk.

The agency says scientists detected an anomaly in one of the electronic systems that controls a new hand that was installed on the International Space Station’s robotic arm last Tuesday.

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The CSA says both systems needs to be functional for the robotic arm to be able to fully perform its tasks.

READ MORE: NASA tells astronauts aboard ISS to ‘Get ‘er Done’ after the iconic Canadarm breaks down

The agency says they planned to send NASA astronauts on a second spacewalk to reattach the old hand, which was functional despite showing signs of wear and tear.

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But it says the CSA robotics specialist team determined that the anomaly could be corrected using new software, which was developed by Canadian engineers.

The agency says a spacewalk is no longer necessary.

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