The six-person Expedition 40 crew of the orbiting International Space Station spent today conducting medical research, gearing up for a Russian spacewalk and preparing the station’s robotic crew member, Robonaut 2, for a mobility upgrade. The crew also stowed spacewalk tools and equipment following the postponement of two additional spacewalks that were planned for later in August. International Space Station program managers decided Tuesday to postpone the U.S. spacewalks planned for Aug. 21 and 29 until the fall to allow new Long Life Batteries to be delivered to the station aboard the SpaceX-4 commercial resupply services flight. A potential issue with a fuse within the battery of the U.S. spacesuits prompted the decision. The delay in completing the proposed spacewalks does not affect any daily operational capabilities of the station. Read more: go.nasa.gov/1vbSOD5
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 19:53:09 +0000