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Astronauts set for ISS spacewalk Astronauts set for ISS spacewalk
(30 minutes later)
Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Atlantis are preparing for the mission's first spacewalk.Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Atlantis are preparing for the mission's first spacewalk.
The spacewalk was originally scheduled for Sunday, but had to be delayed by 24 hours after European crew member Hans Schlegel was taken ill.The spacewalk was originally scheduled for Sunday, but had to be delayed by 24 hours after European crew member Hans Schlegel was taken ill.
Mr Schlegel was supposed to venture out into space with US astronaut Rex Walheim, but he will now be replaced.Mr Schlegel was supposed to venture out into space with US astronaut Rex Walheim, but he will now be replaced.
Atlantis, which docked with the ISS on Saturday, was delivering Europe's Columbus science laboratory.Atlantis, which docked with the ISS on Saturday, was delivering Europe's Columbus science laboratory.
Mr Schlegel was pulled from the job on Saturday because of illness. The US space agency (Nasa) has refused to elaborate on what was ailing German astronaut Hans Schlegel, but said it was not life-threatening.Mr Schlegel was pulled from the job on Saturday because of illness. The US space agency (Nasa) has refused to elaborate on what was ailing German astronaut Hans Schlegel, but said it was not life-threatening.
Nasa's website said that the medical issue would have "no impact to the overall mission objectives" and that the spacewalk on Monday would be conducted by Rex Walheim and Stan Love, who steps in for Mr Schlegel.Nasa's website said that the medical issue would have "no impact to the overall mission objectives" and that the spacewalk on Monday would be conducted by Rex Walheim and Stan Love, who steps in for Mr Schlegel.
"The only difference is who's going out the hatch," said Nasa flight director Mike Sarafin. Mr Schlegel will now be replaced on Monday's spacewalk"The only difference is who's going out the hatch," said Nasa flight director Mike Sarafin.
Schlegel was said to be looking and sounding well on Sunday, and was expected to take part in the second spacewalk of the mission on Wednesday.Schlegel was said to be looking and sounding well on Sunday, and was expected to take part in the second spacewalk of the mission on Wednesday.
The primary purpose of the spacewalk, which is due to begin at 1430 GMT (0930 EST) is to help install the European space laboratory, Columbus.The primary purpose of the spacewalk, which is due to begin at 1430 GMT (0930 EST) is to help install the European space laboratory, Columbus.
Columbus cost about $2bn (£1bn) and has room for three researchers in fields ranging from crop breeding to the development of advanced alloys.Columbus cost about $2bn (£1bn) and has room for three researchers in fields ranging from crop breeding to the development of advanced alloys.
The lab is the first part of the ISS that the European Space Agency (Esa) will control. Installation will now start on Monday.The lab is the first part of the ISS that the European Space Agency (Esa) will control. Installation will now start on Monday.
Routine inspectionRoutine inspection
Before docking, the crew guided Atlantis in a back-flip manoeuvre that allowed crew on the space station to photograph the shuttle's protective heat-resistant tiles.Before docking, the crew guided Atlantis in a back-flip manoeuvre that allowed crew on the space station to photograph the shuttle's protective heat-resistant tiles.
COLUMBUS FACTS Total length - 6.8mDiameter - 4.5mVolume - 75 cu mLaunch mass - 12.8tOperation - 3 crewCabin temp - 16-27CTotal power - 20kW Columbus: Sky-high science Building Columbus Installing Columbus Inside Columbus Engineers on Earth will check the images for any possible damage that may have been done to the tiles during lift-off.COLUMBUS FACTS Total length - 6.8mDiameter - 4.5mVolume - 75 cu mLaunch mass - 12.8tOperation - 3 crewCabin temp - 16-27CTotal power - 20kW Columbus: Sky-high science Building Columbus Installing Columbus Inside Columbus Engineers on Earth will check the images for any possible damage that may have been done to the tiles during lift-off.
This became a routine safety measure after the shuttle Columbia disintegrated on re-entering the Earth's atmosphere in 2003.This became a routine safety measure after the shuttle Columbia disintegrated on re-entering the Earth's atmosphere in 2003.
The 7m-long (24ft), 4.5m-wide (14ft), 12.8-tonne laboratory will be manoeuvred into position by the shuttle's robotic arm, and docked to the station's Harmony Node 2 connector.The 7m-long (24ft), 4.5m-wide (14ft), 12.8-tonne laboratory will be manoeuvred into position by the shuttle's robotic arm, and docked to the station's Harmony Node 2 connector.
Esa astronaut Leopold Eyharts will be staying on the station to commission Columbus, a process that should take a few weeks to complete.Esa astronaut Leopold Eyharts will be staying on the station to commission Columbus, a process that should take a few weeks to complete.
Its installation will mean Esa becomes a full member of the orbital project.Its installation will mean Esa becomes a full member of the orbital project.
Atlantis was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, and is due to return to Earth now on 19 February, a day's extension to the originally planned 11-day mission.Atlantis was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, and is due to return to Earth now on 19 February, a day's extension to the originally planned 11-day mission.
Once the lab is in place, an intensive programme of research in weightless surroundings will begin.Once the lab is in place, an intensive programme of research in weightless surroundings will begin.
The experiments will also help researchers better understand the physiological demands of long-duration spaceflight, something that will be important if humans are ever to colonise the Moon or travel to Mars.The experiments will also help researchers better understand the physiological demands of long-duration spaceflight, something that will be important if humans are ever to colonise the Moon or travel to Mars.