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US astronauts make key spacewalk US astronauts make key spacewalk
(4 days later)
Two US astronauts have carried out a key spacewalk on the International Space Station (ISS).Two US astronauts have carried out a key spacewalk on the International Space Station (ISS).
Scott Parazynski and Douglas Wheelock helped fit a massive girder that holds giant solar wings to the orbiting space platform. Scott Parazynski and Douglas Wheelock helped reposition a massive girder that holds giant solar wings.
A problem with the station's existing solar panels means the new solar arrays must work perfectly. A problem in a rotating mechanism for another set of solar panels attached to the orbiting space platform means the repositioned set must work perfectly.
Any problems with the equipment could delay the planned December launch of the European science lab, Columbus.Any problems with the equipment could delay the planned December launch of the European science lab, Columbus.
"Another great day at the office," spacewalk veteran Scott Parazynski told Douglas Wheelock as they floated out of the airlock."Another great day at the office," spacewalk veteran Scott Parazynski told Douglas Wheelock as they floated out of the airlock.
The pair's main task was to finish moving a 17.5-tonne girder, or truss, to its new home at one end of the ISS.The pair's main task was to finish moving a 17.5-tonne girder, or truss, to its new home at one end of the ISS.
Astronauts inside the ISS used a robotic arm to hook up the beam to the station's backbone, helped by their spacewalking colleagues.Astronauts inside the ISS used a robotic arm to hook up the beam to the station's backbone, helped by their spacewalking colleagues.
Parazynski also made a brief inspection of some malfunctioning equipment during the seven-hour spacewalk. class="" href="/1/hi/sci/tech/6313161.stm">In graphics: Space Station On Sunday, the spacewalkers found metal shavings inside a motorised rotary joint that keeps an established set of solar panels in the correct orientation to the Sun.
In graphics: Space Station On Sunday, a spacewalking astronaut found metal shavings inside a motorised rotary joint that keeps the existing solar panels in the correct orientation to the Sun.
Nasa said Parazynski found no evidence of any damage in the matching joint, saying it was "nice and clean".
The crew of space shuttle Discovery has already installed the new Harmony module in a temporary position on the ISS.The crew of space shuttle Discovery has already installed the new Harmony module in a temporary position on the ISS.
Harmony gives ISS crews 18% more room and is the first expansion of living and working space since 2001.Harmony gives ISS crews 18% more room and is the first expansion of living and working space since 2001.
It will provide a passageway between three science laboratories: the existing US Destiny lab; the European Space Agency's Columbus module; and the Japanese Kibo experimental units.It will provide a passageway between three science laboratories: the existing US Destiny lab; the European Space Agency's Columbus module; and the Japanese Kibo experimental units.
Built in Italy by the company Thales Alenia Space, Harmony weighs some 14 tonnes. It is 7m by 4.6m (23ft by 15ft).Built in Italy by the company Thales Alenia Space, Harmony weighs some 14 tonnes. It is 7m by 4.6m (23ft by 15ft).
The installation has been led by Italian astronaut and mission specialist Paolo Nespoli.The installation has been led by Italian astronaut and mission specialist Paolo Nespoli.