The International Space Station (ISS) crew is spending its seventh week onboard the orbiting laboratory continuing to prepare for a spacewalk. ISS managers decided to reschedule the planning date for the spacewalk from June 15 to June 24. Formal management approval is expected next week.
The rescheduling will move the activity into a better period for communications coverage and for the crew’s workday. It also allows additional time for ground teams to continue to develop spacewalk procedures. Managers plan to review all preparations for the spacewalk at a normal Stage Operations Readiness Review scheduled on June 21.
Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka and NASA ISS Science Officer Mike Fincke gathered tools and began work with their spacesuits this week to prepare for the spacewalk. The spacewalk plan is to restore power to one of the complex’s Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs), devices that help maintain the Station’s orientation as it orbits Earth.
During the walk, the crew is expected to replace a Remote Power Control Module, or circuit breaker, that failed April 21, removing power from the one CMG. However, two CMGs are still operating well, safely controlling the orientation of the Station.
The crew began its work this week by charging batteries of the Pistol Grip Tool, a type of spacewalking power wrench, and familiarizing themselves with the tool’s operation. Other activities included replacing batteries, filters, helmet lights and other routine parts in the Russian Orlan spacesuits that will be used for the spacewalk.
The crew also unpacked personal garments such as socks, gloves, and cooling garments; sized the spacesuits; and performed procedures to ensure no excess gas is present in the spacesuits’ water and gas separation systems.
The crew participated in cardiovascular evaluation sessions on the Russian stationary bicycle. The checks are part of standard spacewalk preparations.
Information about crew activities on the Space Station, future launch dates, and Station sighting opportunities from Earth, is available on the Internet at:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/
Details about Station science operations are available on an Internet site administered by the Payload Operations Center at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., at:
http://scipoc.msfc.nasa.gov/