ISS power unit installed
Posted: Thu, Sep 6, 2012, 7:20 AM ET (1120 GMT)
Spacewalking astronauts successfully installed a power switching unit on the exterior of the International Space Station during a spacewalk Wednesday, less than a week after failing to do so during a previous EVA. Sunita Williams and Akihiko Hoshide spent six hours and 28 minutes outside the ISS on an EVA that ended at 1:34 pm EDT (1734 GMT). The two had attempted to install a new Main Bus Switching Unit (MBSU) last week but were stymied by a stuck bolt. On Wednesday's EVA the astronauts used tools, including a toothbrush, to clean metal shavings from the bolt hole before successfully installing a new bolt to latch the MBSU into place. The MBSU is used to route power from the station's solar arrays; without it installed, the station was able to use power from only six of its eight large arrays. The astronauts also installed a new camera on the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm, a task planned for last week's spacewalk but deferred because of problems with the MBSU installation.
Spacewalking astronauts successfully installed a power switching unit on the exterior of the International Space Station during a spacewalk Wednesday, less than a week after failing to do so during a previous EVA. Sunita Williams and Akihiko Hoshide spent six hours and 28 minutes outside the ISS on an EVA that ended at 1:34 pm EDT (1734 GMT). The two had attempted to install a new Main Bus Switching Unit (MBSU) last week but were stymied by a stuck bolt. On Wednesday's EVA the astronauts used tools, including a toothbrush, to clean metal shavings from the bolt hole before successfully installing a new bolt to latch the MBSU into place. The MBSU is used to route power from the station's solar arrays; without it installed, the station was able to use power from only six of its eight large arrays. The astronauts also installed a new camera on the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm, a task planned for last week's spacewalk but deferred because of problems with the MBSU installation.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, January 30
Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser Spaceplane Successfully Passes NASA Testing Milestone in Preparation for Launch
Sierra Space — 5:24 am ET (1024 GMT) Dream Chaser Clears Key Pre-Space Mission Test Hurdle
Aviation Week — 5:24 am ET (1024 GMT) Texas Space Commission approves $21.5 million in grants
San Antonio Express-News — 5:23 am ET (1023 GMT) Britain takes stake in SpaceX rival Orbex to boost space ambitions
CNBC — 5:20 am ET (1020 GMT) Scandinavian Airlines partners with SpaceX for free in-flight Starlink services
Teslarati — 5:20 am ET (1020 GMT) |
