Geplaatst:14 jun 2006 11:39 - Gewijzigd: 14 jun 2006 11:39

Spacewalk extended on space station

CAPE CANAVERAL - The clock was ticking for the two spacewalkers to finish up their maintenance jobs on the international space station. All was finished except for replacing a video camera on a transport platform used to construct the orbiting outpost.

Audiostream:

Last week, NASA controllers conferred with their Russian counterparts about whether to call off that task or preceed as planned and risk running out of time. They decided to go ahead after the Russians agreed to tack on an extra 50 minutes for spacewalking, allowing the crew members to successfully complete their tasks.

The spacewalk took 6 1/2 hours, longer than expected, but nowhere near the record of eight hours and 56 minutes set in 2001.

„OK. We’re going out”, Russian commander Pavel Vinogradov said at 6:48 p.m. EDT as he and USA flight engineer Jeff Williams exited the Russian side of the station in their bulky suits while the outpost soared more than 220 miles above Earth.

The spacewalk was the first scheduled for the two crewmen since their arrival at the space station in early April. During their careers, Vinogradov has conducted five previous spacewalks; Williams has made one.

A few items needed for the spacewalk got lost somewhere inside the cluttered space station. Among them: part of a Russian foot restraint for holding Vinogradov in place at the end of the 55 foot boom. He used a USA made tether instead. (World)