spacetoday.net: Final STS-113 spacewalk a success despite transporter glitch

Posted: Sun, Dec 1, 2002, 2:43 PM ET (1943 GMT)
STS-113: EVA#3 (NASA)

Astronauts were able to complete the third and final spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Saturday despite a problem with a mobile transporter that forced a change in plans. John Herrington and Michael Lopez-Alegria spent seven hours outside the station Saturday with the primary task of installing 33 "spool positioning devices" that are designed to make sure quick disconnect devices on ammonia coolant lines work as planned. The astronauts planned to use the station's robot arm to reach some of the locations where the devices were to be installed, but were forced to change plans when the mobile transporter, a base for the station's robot arm that moves on rails along the truss, stopped about three meters short of its desired position. During the EVA astronauts found that the railcar was obstructed by a stowed UHF antenna, and once the antenna was deployed the mobile transporter was able to move again. The delay, though, kept controllers from moving the robot arm to the base in time to be of use during the EVA, but the spacewalkers were able to install all the spool positioning devices without the aid of the arm. Sunday is the last full day the shuttle is docked to the station, and the crew will enjoy some free time before wrapping up preparations to undock from the station Monday afternoon. Landing is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.