Posted: Thu, Feb 8, 2001, 3:33 PM ET (2033 GMT)
A problem with the radios in two Russian spacesuits on the International Space Station has made them virtually unusable, a MSNBC report published late Tuesday claims. The article, written by veteran space analyst James Oberg, reported that the suit-to-ground radios in two Orlan spacesuits on board the station failed a checkout test last month. NASA officials have confirmed the problem but say it is not a major issue: there are no plans to use the suits for any EVAs barring unforeseen contingencies, and even if they needed to be used, officials said they were confident the problem could be resolved. The problem, they said, could be as simple as an error in the checkout procedure or attempting to use a radio intended for use outside the station while still inside it.

Related Links:

•  MSNBC article
•  XA/EVA Project Office Weekly Activity Report January 25, 2001 (courtesy SpaceRef)
•  XA/EVA Project Office Weekly Activity Report January 11, 2001 (courtesy SpaceRef)