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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Astronaut fixes torn solar panel | Astronaut fixes torn solar panel |
| (2 days later) | |
| A US astronaut has carried out a dangerous spacewalk to repair 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 rode on 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. |
| The repair work 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. |
| Mr Parazynski was supported from a nearby girder by spacewalking colleague Douglas Wheelock. | Mr Parazynski was supported from a nearby girder by spacewalking colleague Douglas Wheelock. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Vital repair | Vital repair |
| "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. | "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. |
| A controller at Houston, Texas Mission Control, told the astronauts: "Nice teamwork... excellent work guys." | A controller at Houston, Texas Mission Control, told the astronauts: "Nice teamwork... excellent work guys." |
| The repair was of vital importance to future shuttle flights. | The repair was of vital importance to future shuttle flights. |
| Unless the wing can be extended fully, it may not be able to withstand the loading put on the platform when the orbiter docks. | 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 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. | 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. |
| 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 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. |