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While engineers on the ground will continue to study results of the exercise, it was a major step in proving redundancy in the arm, validating the backup operating string. The prime string was successfully tested on Thursday.
The tests were in preparation for STS-110, to be launched on April 4. The arm will be used to lift the S0 Truss from the shuttle's payload bay and install it on the station's U.S. laboratory Destiny. Atlantis crewmembers will do four spacewalks to complete installation.
Today's test of the arm completed a busy workweek for the crew, Commander Yury Onufrienko, Walz and Bursch. It began with the Sunday arrival of the unpiloted Russian Progress 7 resupply vehicle and concluded with the successful arm operations, completed ahead of schedule. Today's test was to have been done next Monday.
Science activities continued. Work today involved the ARIS-ICE vibration characterization experiment, the EVA Radiation Monitor and the Advanced Astroculture experiment.
Major systems aboard the ISS continue to function well as the station orbits at an average altitude of about 242 statute miles.