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Nasa studies ripped solar panel Nasa postpones planned spacewalk
(1 day later)
Nasa is trying to assess the damage in a newly unfurled solar wing at the International Space Station (ISS). Nasa has postponed a spacewalk aimed at fixing a torn solar wing on the International Space Station (ISS) until Friday at the earliest.
The panel is part of an array held inside a girder that was moved on Tuesday from its temporary site on the platform to a new, permanent location. The delay will allow more time for scientists to study the problem, but could prohibit other necessary repairs.
Ground controllers and two spacewalking astronauts watched with concern as the second of two wings in the array opened to reveal a rip along its edge. The torn panel is part of an array held inside a girder that was moved on Tuesday from its temporary site on the platform to a new, permanent location.
Images are being examined to determine the seriousness of the problem. Two spacewalking astronauts opened the wing to reveal a rip along the edge.
It's giving all the power we need. It doesn't have to look good; it's not about style points Mike Suffredini, Nasa "This is a significant challenge for us to deal with, but we will deal with it," said Mike Suffredini, Nasa's International Space Station programme manager. "This is a significant challenge for us to deal with, but we will deal with it," said Mike Suffredini, Nasa's ISS programme manager.
The ISS is being visited by space shuttle Discovery. Astronauts from the orbiter have already attached the new Harmony module to the station.The ISS is being visited by space shuttle Discovery. Astronauts from the orbiter have already attached the new Harmony module to the station.
Harmony provides a passageway between three science laboratories: the existing US Destiny lab; the soon-to-launch European Columbus module; and the future Japanese Kibo experimental units. Intense concern
Harmony provides a passageway between three science laboratories:
  • The existing US Destiny lab
  • The soon-to-launch European Columbus module
  • The future Japanese Kibo experimental units
    • There will be intense concern in Europe and Japan, however, over the latest developments.There will be intense concern in Europe and Japan, however, over the latest developments.
    It's giving all the power we need - it doesn't have to look good, it's not about style points Mike Suffredini, Nasa
    The rip problem is compounded by the discovery at the weekend of excessive wear in a motorised joint driving solar panels on the far side of the station. The gear is used to turn the wings to follow the Sun.The rip problem is compounded by the discovery at the weekend of excessive wear in a motorised joint driving solar panels on the far side of the station. The gear is used to turn the wings to follow the Sun.
    But Nasa has now limited the joint's use to prevent total failure; and this restricts the station's capacity to generate electricity. The Japanese and European space agencies will be eager to learn that the current difficulties will not hold up further expansion of the outpost. But Nasa has now limited the joint's use to prevent total failure, and this restricts the station's capacity to generate electricity. The Japanese and European space agencies will be eager to learn that the current difficulties will not hold up further expansion of the outpost.
    The torn panel was almost completely unfurled when the rip was spotted. The astronauts beamed down photos of the torn and snagged section - about 80cm (2.5ft) in length - so Nasa engineers could analyse them.The torn panel was almost completely unfurled when the rip was spotted. The astronauts beamed down photos of the torn and snagged section - about 80cm (2.5ft) in length - so Nasa engineers could analyse them.
    "If we get the array down and we cut the snag and we figure out how to reinforce it, we'll redeploy the array," said Mr Suffredini."If we get the array down and we cut the snag and we figure out how to reinforce it, we'll redeploy the array," said Mr Suffredini.
    "It's giving all the power we need. It doesn't have to look good; it's not about style points." "It's giving all the power we need. It doesn't have to look good, it's not about style points."
    Nasa has added a day to Discovery's mission so that a detailed inspection of the troublesome joint can be carried out. This will take place on Thursday. Nasa had already added a day to Discovery's mission so that a detailed inspection of the troublesome joint could be carried out. The spacewalk to fix the joint will now not take place until the repairs on the solar wing have been completed.
    And a further planned spacewalk to carry out additional construction work on the space station will also now be postponed.
    Discovery is due to undock from the space station on Monday and return to Earth on 7 November.Discovery is due to undock from the space station on Monday and return to Earth on 7 November.