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Spacewalk to finish ISS rewiring Astronauts rewire space station
(about 4 hours later)
Two crew members of the space shuttle Discovery have begun a fresh spacewalk to rewire the International Space Station (ISS). Two crew members of the space shuttle Discovery have completed the delicate rewiring of the International Space Station (ISS) during a third spacewalk.
Astronauts Robert Curbeam and Sunita Williams appeared in good spirits as they emerged from the ISS through an airtight hatch at 1937 GMT. Nasa has approved a fourth spacewalk, which would push back the return of the space shuttle by a day.
They hope to finish rewiring, begun on Thursday, during the six-hour mission. Nasa made the decision as astronauts Robert Curbeam and Sunita Williams were halfway through their outing.
Mission Control said that the rewired electrical system was powered back up and now operating without problems.
Jammed panel
The rewiring, delayed after the 2003 Columbia disaster, will provide a power upgrade to support extra equipment.The rewiring, delayed after the 2003 Columbia disaster, will provide a power upgrade to support extra equipment.
"It's great to have some good on-orbit electricians working for us," said Stephen Robinson from Nasa Mission Control in Houston, Texas.
Mr Curbeam, an experienced spacewalker, left the ISS ahead of Sunita Williams, who was beginning her first mission.Mr Curbeam, an experienced spacewalker, left the ISS ahead of Sunita Williams, who was beginning her first mission.
"Bye-bye Bob," she said as he exited the station."Bye-bye Bob," she said as he exited the station.
"Welcome to the club, Suni," he replied when she emerged a few minutes later."Welcome to the club, Suni," he replied when she emerged a few minutes later.
Panel repairs Now that the rewiring operation has been completed, the astronauts are attempting to fix a jammed solar panel on the ISS.
If they have time after the rewiring, the astronauts may also try to fix a jammed solar panel on the ISS.
The array, which needs to be folded away to make room for new panels, jammed as the astronauts attempted to retract it by remote control.The array, which needs to be folded away to make room for new panels, jammed as the astronauts attempted to retract it by remote control.
A solar panel on the space station failed to retractIt has been six years since the 35m (115ft) wing, which has served as the space station's primary power source, was deployed and it has not been retracted during that period.A solar panel on the space station failed to retractIt has been six years since the 35m (115ft) wing, which has served as the space station's primary power source, was deployed and it has not been retracted during that period.
New solar panels, fitted in September, will take over the job of powering the ISS, boosting its power by about 50%.New solar panels, fitted in September, will take over the job of powering the ISS, boosting its power by about 50%.
On Thursday the team spent hours grappling with the panel but failed to fix it.On Thursday the team spent hours grappling with the panel but failed to fix it.
Saturday's spacewalk is the third carried out by Discovery's seven-strong crew.Saturday's spacewalk is the third carried out by Discovery's seven-strong crew.
Nasa officials are considering the possibility of a fourth spacewalk to carry out a hands-on repairs on the panel.
Night flightNight flight
The mission is taking place to finish the $100bn (£50bn) station. At least 14 more missions are needed.The mission is taking place to finish the $100bn (£50bn) station. At least 14 more missions are needed.
Discovery blasted off from Florida last weekend in the first night launch of a space shuttle in four years, after being delayed for two days because of bad weather.Discovery blasted off from Florida last weekend in the first night launch of a space shuttle in four years, after being delayed for two days because of bad weather.
Discovery's launch left a fiery trail in the Florida skyDiscovery's launch left a fiery trail in the Florida sky
The landing date is set for 21 December back at the Kennedy Space Center.The landing date is set for 21 December back at the Kennedy Space Center.
It is as yet unclear whether an additional spacewalk would prolong the trip which is scheduled to last 12 days.
Discovery's crew consists of Commander Mark Polansky, pilot William Oefelein and mission specialists Mr Curbeam, Joan Higginbotham, Nicholas Patrick, Ms Williams and the European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang.Discovery's crew consists of Commander Mark Polansky, pilot William Oefelein and mission specialists Mr Curbeam, Joan Higginbotham, Nicholas Patrick, Ms Williams and the European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang.
A British-born astronaut, Nicholas Patrick, is among Discovery's crew. For five of the seven astronauts, this is their first shuttle flight.A British-born astronaut, Nicholas Patrick, is among Discovery's crew. For five of the seven astronauts, this is their first shuttle flight.
One of crew, US astronaut Sunita Williams, will stay on at the ISS when Discovery heads home, taking German Thomas Reiter back to Earth. Ms Williams will stay on at the ISS when Discovery heads home, taking German Thomas Reiter back to Earth.