Mon, Dec 18, 2006
Will Try One Last Time To Retract Stubborn Array
The STS-116 crew spent Sunday preparing for the fourth spacewalk
of its mission, to complete the retraction of the P6 solar array
aboard the International Space Station. The extra spacewalk is
scheduled for Monday, and was authorized by NASA over the
weekend.
The decision comes after progress was made in retracting the
array during Saturday’s excursion. Spacewalkers Robert
Curbeam and Sunita Williams assisted in the process by shaking the
array wing -- which did help flight controllers retract more of the
array.
"This is definitely the right approach," Expedition 14 commander
Mike Lopez-Alegria told mission controllers. "I think we are
starting to get there."
NASA reports 11 of the array's 21 bays remain unfurled. Prior to
Saturday's efforts, 17 remained unfurled. The two astronauts'
efforts were suspended when the oxygen and battery power levels in
their spacesuits ran low.
Curbeam and Mission Specialist Christer Fuglesang will resume
the shaking activities during the spacewalk, slated to begin at
1:47 pm EST Monday. The spacewalk will be Curbeam’s fourth
during the mission, and Fuglesang’s third.
Sunday's preparations included flight controllers finalizing the
spacewalk’s timeline, which were then reviewed by the crew.
The crew will also prepare tools and spacesuits for the excursion.
Curbeam and Fuglesang will complete the day’s preparations by
spending the night in the Quest Airlock for the pre-spacewalk
campout.
With the added spacewalk, the STS-116 crew’s stay at the
station has been extended to Tuesday. Undocking is now set for 5:09
pm, with landing at Kennedy Space Center now targeted for 3:55 pm
Friday -- 24 hours later than originally planned.
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