Spacewalker repairs ISS solar panel
Posted: Sat, Nov 3, 2007, 2:29 PM ET (1829 GMT)
A NASA astronaut successfully repaired a torn solar panel on the International Space Station during a daring spacewalk on Saturday. Scott Parazynski, stationed on the end of a boom attached to the station's robotic arm, threaded five makeshift hinge supports, dubbed "cufflinks", to shore up a portion of a solar panel on the P^ truss segment that tore earlier in the week. The cufflinks held in place and prevented the panel from suffering any additional repairs when the panel was extended to its full length later in the Saturday morning spacewalk. Engineers on the ground had worked for several days to design the cufflinks and choreograph the unplanned spacewalk, mindful of the risk of electrocution Parazynski faced if he touched any live wires on the panel. NASA officials deemed the repair essential, since the power generated by the panel will be needed for two lab modules that will be added to the station in the coming months.
A NASA astronaut successfully repaired a torn solar panel on the International Space Station during a daring spacewalk on Saturday. Scott Parazynski, stationed on the end of a boom attached to the station's robotic arm, threaded five makeshift hinge supports, dubbed "cufflinks", to shore up a portion of a solar panel on the P^ truss segment that tore earlier in the week. The cufflinks held in place and prevented the panel from suffering any additional repairs when the panel was extended to its full length later in the Saturday morning spacewalk. Engineers on the ground had worked for several days to design the cufflinks and choreograph the unplanned spacewalk, mindful of the risk of electrocution Parazynski faced if he touched any live wires on the panel. NASA officials deemed the repair essential, since the power generated by the panel will be needed for two lab modules that will be added to the station in the coming months.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, March 18
Russia could build extra Soyuz capsule for space tours
RIA Novosti — 8:12 pm ET (0012 GMT) Astronaut lands in Gillette
Wyoming Business Report — 8:10 pm ET (0010 GMT) Cassini Shows Saturnian Roller Derby, Strange Weather
NASA/JPL — 8:10 pm ET (0010 GMT) Russia to resume space tourism in 2012
Russia Today — 8:09 pm ET (0009 GMT) Houston Leaders Appeal President Obama to Save Space Program
KRIV-TV Houston — 8:04 pm ET (0004 GMT) |