Nov 02
NASA Prepares Risky Spacewalk Plan
Houston, TX–Nov 02, ‘07–NASA officials hustled Friday to finish planning a riskier-than-usual spacewalk to save a ripped solar wing at the international space station. Repairing the solar panel, one of two power problems plaguing the station, is the top priority for the final days of shuttle Discovery’s mission.
NASA says one of the problems must be solved before any more shuttles can fly to the orbiting outpost.
It will be a difficult and potentially dangerous mission for Parazynski, who runs the risk of being shocked as he tries to fix the damaged panel. Parazynski also will be farther from the safety of the station than NASA would like, upping the ante for problems such as glove tears or spacesuit malfunctions.
Engineers believe the 115-foot wing snagged on a guidewire or guidewire support as it was being unreeled Tuesday. Until Parazynski gets close to the damage, NASA can only theorize what he’ll need to do to fix it.
The partially deployed solar wing is producing power, and there is no way to turn it off, flight director Derek Hassmann said. Parazynski has been warned not to touch the electricity-generating solar cells that cover virtually the entire wing. If the metal of a tool he was holding melted, it could burn a hole into his glove.
NASA Briefing:The STS-120 and Expedition 16 crews will continue to work today on the tools and procedures for Saturday’s spacewalk to repair a torn solar array. Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski and Doug Wheelock will conduct the excursion, which is slated to kick off at 6:28 a.m. EDT Saturday.
Parazynski will make the repair while suspended from a boom attached to the space station’s robotic arm, and Wheelock will assist from the station’s truss. Mission Specialist Stephanie Wilson and Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Dan Tani will be operating the station’s robotic arm from the robotic work station inside the Destiny laboratory. Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli will be the spacewalk coordinator.
In preparation for the spacewalk, Parazynski and Wheelock will conduct an overnight campout in the station’s airlock. More at AP, NASA.