Image above: Mission specialists Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper and Shane Kimbrough work outside the International Space Station during the second spacewalk of the STS-126 mission. Photo credit: NASA TV

STS-126 astronauts go spacewalking

STS-126 mission specialists Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper, KD5TVR and Shane Kimbrough, KE5HOD worked outside the station yesterday for the second of the mission's four spacewalks.

Their tasks include the relocation of two crew and equipment translation aid carts, the lubrication of the Canadarm2 end effector, and the continuation of cleaning and lubrication of the starboard solar alpha rotary joint.

Inside the station, STS-126 Mission Specialist Don Pettit, KD5MDT, and Expedition 18 Flight Engineer Sandra Magnus, KE5FYE,
were operating the station's robotic arm, and Pilot Eric Boe
was serving as the intravehicular officer, or spacewalk coordinator.

The excursion lasted
6 hours, 45 minutes.