spacetoday.net: Astronauts install station truss segment

Posted: Wed, Nov 27, 2002, 10:27 AM ET (1527 GMT)
STS-113: station arm installs P1 truss (NASA)

Space shuttle Endeavour astronauts successfully installed a new truss segment for the International Space Station on Tuesday. Astronauts used the robot arms on the shuttle and station to move the P1 truss segment from the Endeavour's cargo bay to its position on the station next to the S0 truss segment. Once in place, astronauts John Herrington and Michael Lopez-Alegria conducted a six-hour, 45-minute spacewalk Tuesday afternoon and evening to continue the installation. The spacewalkers hooked up electrical connections on the truss, unlocked a handcart that runs along the truss segment, and removed rods used to support the truss during launch. They also installed devices to make sure quick disconnect mechanisms in fluid lines work properly, and finished the EVA by installing wireless communications antennas that will allow reception of video from helmet-mounted cameras during spacewalks that occur when the shuttle is not docked to the station. Herrington and Lopez-Alegria are scheduled to perform two more EVAs during the mission, on Thursday and Saturday, to wrap up the installation of the truss.