The robotic arm flown on NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981 was called Canadarm.
Canadarm was the common name for the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System, a robotic arm developed by Canada for NASA’s Space Shuttle program. It was first used during STS-2, Columbia’s second mission, in November 1981. Astronauts operated the arm from a control station inside the shuttle.
The arm could deploy, retrieve, and position payloads in orbit. It later helped astronauts inspect and service spacecraft, including the Hubble Space Telescope. Canadarm became a highly visible example of Canadian aerospace engineering and led to further robotic systems for space operations.
Canadarm should not be confused with Canadarm2, the larger arm installed on the International Space Station. Canadarm2 is part of the station’s Mobile Servicing System, whereas the original Canadarm was attached to Space Shuttle orbiters.