May 23 (UPI) — NASA astronauts Peggy Whitson and Jack Fischer are preparing for an emergency spacewalk to replace a fried data relay box.
“The spacewalkers are gathering their tools and checking their spacesuits today with assistance from Flight Engineer Thomas Pesquet,” NASA officials explained in a blog update. “The trio are also reviewing the contingency spacewalk procedures.”
The computer system, which is vital to an array of space station components, is known as the Multiplexer-Demultiplexer. It failed on Saturday morning.
“The MDM controls the functionality of station components such as the solar arrays, radiators, cooling loops and other systems,” NASA said.
The contingency spacewalk is scheduled for Tuesday at approximately 8 a.m. EDT. The walk will last roughly two hours, during which time Fischer will replace the MDM with a spare relay box. Fischer will also install a new pair of wireless communication antennas.
Whitson assembled and tested the new MDM on Sunday.
Live streaming coverage of the spacewalk will begin on NASA TV at 6:30 a.m. EDT.
According to NASA, none of the International Space Stations vital systems or components were affected by the MDM failure. There astronauts were never in danger, officials said. The MDM was one of two redundant systems. The other relay box continues to function without problem.
Tuesday’s spacewalk will be the 201st outside the space station.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.