Solar panel tears during redeployment
Posted: Wed, Oct 31, 2007, 8:21 AM ET (1221 GMT)
A newly-relocated solar panel on the International Space Station ripped during its redeployment on Tuesday, and NASA is considering a further extension of the shuttle's stay at the ISS of deal with the problem. The rip took place as one of the panels on the P6 truss segment was extended following a seven-hour spacewalk by Scott Parazynski and Doug Wheelock, who completed the installation of the panels in their permanent location at the end of the port side of the truss. The gash was clearly visible in images, although the panel is still producing 97 percent of its normal power. NASA engineers are studying the effect of the tear on the panel and the station's overall power-generating capability, and what options exist to repair the panel. Shuttle managers are considering extending the shuttle's stay at the ISS by two days to carry out any repairs; the shuttle's mission had already been extended a day to cope with an unrelated problem with a joint that allows the solar arrays to track the Sun.
A newly-relocated solar panel on the International Space Station ripped during its redeployment on Tuesday, and NASA is considering a further extension of the shuttle's stay at the ISS of deal with the problem. The rip took place as one of the panels on the P6 truss segment was extended following a seven-hour spacewalk by Scott Parazynski and Doug Wheelock, who completed the installation of the panels in their permanent location at the end of the port side of the truss. The gash was clearly visible in images, although the panel is still producing 97 percent of its normal power. NASA engineers are studying the effect of the tear on the panel and the station's overall power-generating capability, and what options exist to repair the panel. Shuttle managers are considering extending the shuttle's stay at the ISS by two days to carry out any repairs; the shuttle's mission had already been extended a day to cope with an unrelated problem with a joint that allows the solar arrays to track the Sun.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
SpaceX sets Nov. 18 launch date for sixth Starship test flight
Posted: Sat, Nov 9 9:57 AM ET (1457 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, November 23
DirecTV Abandons Deal to Acquire Dish Amid Bondholder Opposition
Hollywood Reporter — 2:16 am ET (0716 GMT) DirecTV Ditches Dish Deal
Variety — 2:16 am ET (0716 GMT) DirecTV calling off Dish Network takeover after bondholders balk
Los Angeles Times — 2:15 am ET (0715 GMT) DirecTV terminates Dish deal over failed debt swap
Reuters — 2:14 am ET (0714 GMT) DirecTV announces termination of deal to buy Dish satellite business
Ars Technica — 2:13 am ET (0713 GMT) |
