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Astronauts begin second spacewalk Astronauts end second spacewalk
(about 7 hours later)
US astronauts have begun their second spacewalk to fold up old solar panels on the International Space Station. US astronauts have ended their second spacewalk, folding up old solar panels on the International Space Station.
The move by the two shuttle Atlantis astronauts is aimed at allowing the new system of panels to rotate properly. The two shuttle Atlantis astronauts folded a solar wing to allow a new system of panels to rotate properly.
Nasa has also decided to add a fourth spacewalk to the Atlantis mission to fix minor damage to a thermal blanket sustained during the shuttle's launch. They should complete the work in the next walk on Thursday and a fourth walk on Friday will see if repairs are needed to the thermal re-entry blanket.
Engineers think the blanket was loosened by aerodynamic forces and was not hit by debris. Damage to the shuttle Columbia in 2003 during its launch led to the vehicle's disintegration as it returned to Earth.
Damage to the shuttle Columbia in 2003 during its launch led to the vehicle's disintegration as it returned to Earth, killing all seven crew. All seven crew died.
6h30min mission Engineers do not think the damaged section this time will endanger the re-entry.
The second spacewalk began at 1828 GMT, Nasa said. They think the blanket was loosened by aerodynamic forces and was not hit by debris.
It said astronauts Pat Forrester and Steve Swanson were expected to spend six hours and 30 minutes in space. The second spacewalk began at 1828 GMT on Wednesday, Nasa said.
Pat Forrester and Steve Swanson spent hours on the old and new solar arrays before fellow astronaut James Reilly told them: "We're going to call it quits on this part of your job for today. Excellent job."
Atlantis docked with the International Space Station on Sunday.Atlantis docked with the International Space Station on Sunday.
On Monday, two US astronauts made their first spacewalk, successfully connecting the station's new solar panels.