How did the crew manage to complete their spacewalk within the specified time duration?
Another Successful Spacewalk
The crew of the International Space Station (ISS) ended their week with great success by completing another spacewalk. Astronauts ventured outside the station to continue maintenance work on the orbiting laboratory. This was the second spacewalk in a week, and the crew was well prepared for it. The spacewalk lasted six hours and 45 minutes, and the objectives were achieved with ease.
Continued Maintenance and Upgrades
The ISS is a complex machine that requires constant maintenance and upgrades. The critical task for this spacewalk was to complete the installation of new solar arrays. The new arrays are expected to improve the energy production of the station by 20-30%. This will help to ensure that the ISS can continue to support scientific research and exploration in space for years to come.
In addition to the solar array installation, the crew performed other critical maintenance work. They replaced a camera on the Canadarm2 robotic arm. This arm is essential for moving equipment and walking space station crew members from one location to another. The crew also replaced six outdated nickel-hydrogen batteries with new lithium-ion batteries. This is an ongoing upgrade process to improve the station’s power system.
Future Plans
The success of this second spacewalk in a week has given the crew the confidence to plan for another spacewalk soon. This upcoming spacewalk will involve more maintenance work, such as inspecting and repairing the station’s exterior for any damage that may have occurred due to the harsh space environment.
Conclusion
The successful completion of the second spacewalk of the week is a testament to the skills and expertise of the ISS crew. They have demonstrated their ability to work effectively and efficiently in a challenging environment. The planned future spacewalk indicates that the crew members are ready to tackle any challenges that arise in their mission to explore space and advance scientific research.