Astronauts Fix Solar Panel

They complete risky mission on international space station
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 3, 2007 11:45 AM CDT
Astronauts Fix Solar Panel
In this image provided by NASA television, astronaut Scott Parazynski works with wires near the damaged section of solar array Saturday Nov. 3, 2007 during a lengthy spacewalk outside the international space station. (AP Photo/NASA)   (Associated Press)

Two astronauts fixed the broken solar panel on the international space station today in one of the riskiest spacewalks ever undertaken, the AP reports. Scott Parazynski installed a brace and fixed snarled wires on the highly electrified panel, which then unfurled to its full length. "Excellent work guys, excellent," said the space station commander.

Parazynski and fellow astronaut Douglas Wheelock undertook the mission because the newly installed solar panel—critical to the future of the space station—encountered a snag on Thursday. "What a relief," said Parazynski, who completed the far-from-home-improvement while perched atop a 90-foot robotic arm. He and the rest of Discovery's crew are scheduled to return to earth on Wednesday. (More Scott Parazynski stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X