Solar panel tears during redeployment
Posted: Wed, Oct 31, 2007, 8:21 AM ET (1221 GMT)
A newly-relocated solar panel on the International Space Station ripped during its redeployment on Tuesday, and NASA is considering a further extension of the shuttle's stay at the ISS of deal with the problem. The rip took place as one of the panels on the P6 truss segment was extended following a seven-hour spacewalk by Scott Parazynski and Doug Wheelock, who completed the installation of the panels in their permanent location at the end of the port side of the truss. The gash was clearly visible in images, although the panel is still producing 97 percent of its normal power. NASA engineers are studying the effect of the tear on the panel and the station's overall power-generating capability, and what options exist to repair the panel. Shuttle managers are considering extending the shuttle's stay at the ISS by two days to carry out any repairs; the shuttle's mission had already been extended a day to cope with an unrelated problem with a joint that allows the solar arrays to track the Sun.
A newly-relocated solar panel on the International Space Station ripped during its redeployment on Tuesday, and NASA is considering a further extension of the shuttle's stay at the ISS of deal with the problem. The rip took place as one of the panels on the P6 truss segment was extended following a seven-hour spacewalk by Scott Parazynski and Doug Wheelock, who completed the installation of the panels in their permanent location at the end of the port side of the truss. The gash was clearly visible in images, although the panel is still producing 97 percent of its normal power. NASA engineers are studying the effect of the tear on the panel and the station's overall power-generating capability, and what options exist to repair the panel. Shuttle managers are considering extending the shuttle's stay at the ISS by two days to carry out any repairs; the shuttle's mission had already been extended a day to cope with an unrelated problem with a joint that allows the solar arrays to track the Sun.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
NASA IG cites overconfidence and unrealistic schedules for Starliner woes
Posted: Sat, Jul 4 8:11 PM ET (0011 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, July 14
Warsaw to host ESA's New Security Centre
Defence24 — 6:41 am ET (1041 GMT) Astronaut legend issues update on his return to space
Oxford Mail — 6:41 am ET (1041 GMT) SpaceX to Briefly Test V3 Starlink Satellites on Next Starship Flight
PC Magazine — 6:40 am ET (1040 GMT) SpaceX Doubles Starlink Service Prices For Bizav
Aviation Week — 6:39 am ET (1039 GMT) USSF To Award Space Data Network, AMTI Launches By End Of Fiscal ’26
Aviation Week — 6:37 am ET (1037 GMT) |
