spacetoday.net: Second STS-130 completed, mission extended

Posted: Sun, Feb 14, 2010, 6:12 PM ET (2312 GMT)
STS-130: EVA #2 (NASA)

Two astronauts completed the second of three EVAs for the STS-130 mission to the International Space Station early Sunday, outfitting the exterior of the station's newest module. Robert Behnken and Nicholas Patrick spent five hours and 54 minutes outside the ISS, wrapping up the spacewalk slight earlier than planned at 3:14 am EST (0814 GMT). The two connected ammonia coolant hoses for the new Tranquility module, installed handrails on the exterior of the module, and also prepared the Earth-facing port of the module for the installation of the cupola. The EVA was shortened slightly to test for any possible contamination of Patrick's spacesuit after a small amount of ammonia leaked out during the connection of one the lines; no contamination was detected. Prior to the spacewalk mission managers approved a one-day extension of the mission to allow the sTS-130 crew more time to carry out work at the station. Endeavour is now scheduled to land at 10:16 pm EST on February 21 (0316 GMT February 22).