Posted: Thu, Dec 12, 2013, 6:57 AM ET (1157 GMT)
A problem with one of two coolant loops on the International Space Station forced the crew to shut down some systems on Wednesday, but does not put the station or the crew in danger. A pump in one of the external coolant loops shut down automatically when it became too cold during the day Wednesday. While controllers got the pump working again, they believe a valve in that pump may be malfunctioning, and have kept that coolant loop offline. Some "noncritical" systems in several modules on the station's US segment have been powered down as a result of the coolant loop problem, but NASA spokespersons said the station is otherwise in good conditions and the crew is not in danger. Engineers are exploring options to restore the coolant loop to normal operations, which could include a spacewalk to repair or replace the pump.
