spacetoday.net: Spacewalkers replace space station motor

Posted: Thu, Jan 31, 2008, 6:05 AM ET (1105 GMT)
ISS EVA on 2008 Jan 30 (NASA)

Two astronauts replaced a key motor on the International Space Station's solar power system during a seven-hour spacewalk Wednesday. Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani spent 7 hours and 10 minutes outside the station on an EVA that started just before 5 am EST (1000 GMT). The primary task of the spacewalk was to replace the Bearing Motor Roll Ring Module, a motor that is part of the Beta Gimbal Assembly on the starboard truss segment. The motor allows the solar arrays to tilt along their axis to follow the Sun. NASA decided to replace the motor after it experienced electrical failures in early December. During the EVA the astronauts also inspected the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, also on the starboard side the station. As on previous inspections of the joint, astronauts found contamination that may be linked to problems previously experienced turning the joint.