 |
| Image above: Shuttle Commander Brent Jett (left)
and Canadian Astronaut Steve MacLean answer questions from Canadian
students. Photo Credit: NASA TV |
Space Shuttle Atlantis astronauts spread a second set of wings for the
International Space Station today. The new solar arrays were fully extended
at 8:44 a.m. EDT.
The new arrays span a total of 240 feet and have a width of 38 feet.
They are attached to the station’s newest component, the P3/P4 integrated
truss segment. The installation of the P3/P4, which occurred Tuesday,
and the deployment of the arrays sets the stage for future expansion of
the station.
Today’s deployment occurred in stages to allow the arrays to warm
up, which prevents them from sticking while being deployed. The first
stage began about 6:27 a.m. EDT.
During an interview with U.S. media, STS-115 Commander Brent Jett said
the credit for the successful deployment plan belongs to the engineers
and flight controllers on the ground. “It went very, very smoothly,”
Jett said. “It was really a tribute to the team on the ground that
has been working on it for the past six years. They put together a great
plan.”
However, the crew members could not enjoy the moment long because their
attention quickly turned to the mission’s third and final spacewalk.
Mission Specialists Joe Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, KD5TVR,
entered the station Quest Airlock prior to the crew’s sleep period
to begin the pre-spacewalk “campout.”
“Camping out” helps the spacewalkers begin the spacewalk
earlier by reducing the amount of time typically required for the pre-breathe
exercise and some spacewalk preparations.
Friday’s spacewalk is slated to begin at 5:15 a.m. EDT.
In other activities Thursday, crew members commanded the station’s
robot arm to move from the Mobile Base System to the Destiny Laboratory.
Also, Jett and Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Steve MacLean answered
questions from Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and students.
|
