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Tim Peake spacewalk ends early Tim Peake spacewalk ends early
(35 minutes later)
Nasa has ended the spacewalk involving UK astronaut Tim Peake after his US colleague reported water in his helmet.Nasa has ended the spacewalk involving UK astronaut Tim Peake after his US colleague reported water in his helmet.
Tim Kopra reported a "small amount" of water, but the flight director took the precaution of ending the event early.Tim Kopra reported a "small amount" of water, but the flight director took the precaution of ending the event early.
The agency is under a ruling to terminate a spacewalk under such circumstances after an incident in 2013, when a European astronaut developed a significant helmet leak.The agency is under a ruling to terminate a spacewalk under such circumstances after an incident in 2013, when a European astronaut developed a significant helmet leak.
The astronauts had been outside the space station for four hours. The astronauts were outside the space station for four hours 43 minutes.
The main objective of the spacewalk - replacing a failed electrical box - had already been completed.The main objective of the spacewalk - replacing a failed electrical box - had already been completed.
Just before 1700 GMT, Colonel Kopra, a Nasa astronaut who is a veteran of two spacewalks, told mission controllers a water bubble measuring a few inches across had developed inside the helmet.Just before 1700 GMT, Colonel Kopra, a Nasa astronaut who is a veteran of two spacewalks, told mission controllers a water bubble measuring a few inches across had developed inside the helmet.
He was able to sample the water and found it was cold, which is indicative of a leak from part of the US-built suit's cooling system.He was able to sample the water and found it was cold, which is indicative of a leak from part of the US-built suit's cooling system.
In July 2013, Luca Parmitano was involved in a life-threatening situation when a large amount of water leaked out during a spacewalk - obscuring his vision.In July 2013, Luca Parmitano was involved in a life-threatening situation when a large amount of water leaked out during a spacewalk - obscuring his vision.
The Italian national had to be helped back to the ISS airlock by his colleague, US astronaut Chris Cassidy.The Italian national had to be helped back to the ISS airlock by his colleague, US astronaut Chris Cassidy.
More conservative flight rules were put in place after the incident, prompting flight director Royce Renfrew to call a halt to the spacewalk at 16:58 GMT.More conservative flight rules were put in place after the incident, prompting flight director Royce Renfrew to call a halt to the spacewalk at 16:58 GMT.
The astronauts immediately started making their way back to the Quest airlock, arriving there about 15 minutes later.The astronauts immediately started making their way back to the Quest airlock, arriving there about 15 minutes later.
After the duo were safely inside with the outer airlock hatch closed, Tim Peake thanked mission controllers: "You guys did a great job," he said.After the duo were safely inside with the outer airlock hatch closed, Tim Peake thanked mission controllers: "You guys did a great job," he said.
The space station's other crew members, Nasa astronaut and station commander Scott Kelly along with Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) cosmonauts Sergey Volkov and Yuri Malenchenko were on hand. The space station's other crew members, Nasa astronaut and station commander Scott Kelly along with Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) cosmonauts Sergey Volkov and Yuri Malenchenko were on hand to assist.
Once the inner hatch is open, they will help the spacewalkers remove their suits and will use towels to remove the water from Tim Kopra's face. They will also take photographs of Kopra's suit to document the extent of the leak. Once the inner hatch was opened, they helped the spacewalkers remove their suits and using towels to remove the water from Tim Kopra's face.
Scott Kelly used a syringe to collect a 15ml sample of the water (about three teaspoons) and remove absorption pads from the inside of the helmet as evidence for investigators who will aim to determine the cause of the leak.
They also took extensive photographs of Kopra and of the suit.
Earlier in the spacewalk, Col Kopra reported abnormal carbon dioxide readings from his suit. But ground controllers decided it was down to a sensor problem.Earlier in the spacewalk, Col Kopra reported abnormal carbon dioxide readings from his suit. But ground controllers decided it was down to a sensor problem.
More to come.
Follow Paul on Twitter.Follow Paul on Twitter.