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The vehicle was probably one of the first multi-role spacecraft equipped with three utility 'arms'. Built by Canadarm, specialists in this field ever since the original space shuttle, two arms had 'hand' adaptors for gripping and manipulating objects. The third arm contained a magnetic-grip for moving objects into position. In addition, the craft was designed with two docking ports either side of the ship to allow for easy entry.
The craft found uses across the solar system and many fields of operation, including the Jupiter industrial complex, near the mining operations in Saturn's rings and in deep space, where they operated from Skybases placed at strategic points. They were eventually replaced by the famous MRT114 Mule. A few Spidercrabs can still be found in operation used by private salvage companies, though their numbers are starting to dwindle as spares are starting to dry up.
The scene above depicts a Spidercrab maintaining a safe distance from the detonation of an unsafe wreck, using nuclear charges.