Space Robot Flexes Arms for First Time

This photo made from NASA TV shows shuttle astronauts Richard Linnehan and Michael Foreman outside the international space station as they work on putting together Dextre, the gigantic walking and working machine on Saturday March 15, 2008. The robot's hands were attached to its 11-foot arms during the first spacewalk of Endeavour's space station trip. This time, astronauts aimed to connect the arms to the shoulders. The Canadian-built Dextre, which cost more than $200 million and was flown up on Endeavour, is designed to assist spacewalking astronauts. The hope is that the robot eventually will take over some of the more punishing chores, like lugging around big replacement parts. (AP Photo/NASA)

(AP) -- Astronauts flexed the giant arms of the international space station's new robot for the first time, testing the brakes and maneuvering the appendages into position for a Monday night spacewalk.