At 7:54 a.m. EDT, STS-132 spacewalkers Garrett Reisman and Steve Bowen switched their suits to battery power, signifying the start of today’s 6.5-hour excursion. Space shuttle Atlantis Pilot Tony Antonelli will be inside the International Space Station, choreographing the activities and coordinating communications between the spacewalkers and Mission Control in Houston.
This is the 237th spacewalk conducted by U.S. astronauts, the 144th in support of space station assembly and maintenance, the second for Reisman and the fourth for Bowen. Reisman, lead for this spacewalk, is wearing an all-white spacesuit, and his helmet cam displays number 19. Bowen will wear a spacesuit marked with a red stripe; his helmet cam displays number 20.
Once outside, Reisman and Bowen will install a spare space-to-ground antenna, place a spare parts platform on the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator known as Dextre, and loosen battery bolts so the batteries can be swapped during the next two spacewalks.
During the spacewalk, Mission Specialist Piers Sellers will control the station’s 58-foot-long robotic arm, on which Reisman will ride, to maneuver the ammonia tank assembly and other pieces of hardware.