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Spacewalk begins to repair panel Astronaut fixes torn solar panel
(about 3 hours later)
A US astronaut has begun a dangerous spacewalk to try to fix a damaged solar panel on the International Space Station (ISS). A US astronaut has carried out a dangerous spacewalk to repair a damaged solar panel on the International Space Station (ISS).
The energy-collecting wing developed a rip when it was being unfurled at the port end of the platform on Tuesday.The energy-collecting wing developed a rip when it was being unfurled at the port end of the platform on Tuesday.
Scott Parazynski is riding the end of an extension boom to install home-made "cufflinks" to the broken section. Scott Parazynski rode on the end of an extension boom to install home-made "cufflinks" to the broken section.
If the patch job is a success it will enable the wing to be fully deployed and properly locked in position. The repair work will enable the wing to be fully deployed and properly locked in position.
It will be a testing few hours for Mr Parazynski, who will be supported from a nearby girder by spacewalking colleague Douglas Wheelock. Mr Parazynski was supported from a nearby girder by spacewalking colleague Douglas Wheelock.
'Fix it' Mr Parazynski had to carry out the work without touching the torn solar panel, which could have given him a powerful shock if touched. His suit and tools were insulated for protection.
The torn solar panel could give a powerful shock if touched. Vital repair
"Go out and fix that thing for us," station commander Peggy Whitson said, as the men left the station more than 200 miles (320 km) above the Earth. "Beautiful," said Mr Parazynsky as he completed more than fours hours of work outside the space station, more than 200 miles (320km) above the Earth.
The outcome of the repairs is of vital importance to future shuttle flights. A controller at Houston, Texas Mission Control, told the astronauts: "Nice teamwork... excellent work guys."
If the wing is not extended fully, it may not be able to withstand the loading put on the platform when the orbiter docks. The repair was of vital importance to future shuttle flights.
Mr Parazynski's suit and tools have been insulated to ensure he does not get shocked as he tries to fix the damaged panel. Unless the wing can be extended fully, it may not be able to withstand the loading put on the platform when the orbiter docks.
The panel must be lashed together where it has come apart The panel had to be lashed together where it had come apartNasa officials say the 35m (115ft) wing probably snagged on a guidewire, or guidewire support, as it was being unfurled.
Nasa officials say the 35m (115ft) wing probably snagged on a guidewire, or guidewire support, as it was being unfurled, but until Mr Parazynski gets a close look at the damaged area he will not know precisely what needs to be done to fix it.
He is carrying a collection of tools that can be put to different uses.
The cufflinks will be inserted to support the hinges in the retractable panel.
The next shuttle, due in December, is supposed to deliver Europe's main contribution to the ISS project - its Columbus laboratory.The next shuttle, due in December, is supposed to deliver Europe's main contribution to the ISS project - its Columbus laboratory.
Failure to sort the solar panel problem on Saturday would leave Nasa no choice but to delay the December flight while it worked through possible, alternative solutions. That would keep the already much-delayed Columbus sitting on the ground even longer. Failure to sort the solar panel problem would have left Nasa no choice but to delay the December flight , keeping the already much-delayed Columbus sitting on the ground even longer.
The ISS is currently being visited by space shuttle Discovery. Astronauts from the orbiter have already attached the new Harmony module to a temporary location on the station. The unit will be moved into a permanent site once the orbiter has left.The ISS is currently being visited by space shuttle Discovery. Astronauts from the orbiter have already attached the new Harmony module to a temporary location on the station. The unit will be moved into a permanent site once the orbiter has left.
Harmony will act as a passageway between three science laboratories: The existing US Destiny lab, and the soon-to-launch European Columbus and Japanese Kibo experimental units.Harmony will act as a passageway between three science laboratories: The existing US Destiny lab, and the soon-to-launch European Columbus and Japanese Kibo experimental units.