Recalcitrant Fitting Frustrates Spacewalkers
Spacewalkers Doug Wheelock and Tracy Caldwell Dyson set a new record for the length of an International Space Station (ISS) spacewalk yesterday, but their efforts were stymied by a “quick disconnect” (QD) fitting that wouldn’t cooperate. The 8 hour 3 minute spacewalk may be only the first of three, rather than two, needed to replace a failed pump that is part of the ISS cooling system.
Four ammonia coolant lines and five electrical lines need to be disconnected in order to replace the pump. The QD fittings worked properly on the other coolant lines, but on the so-called M3 line, ammonia began leaking out. Eventually Wheelock was able to secure the line and install a “spool positioning device” to maintain proper pressure in the ammonia line until NASA can determine how to proceed.
The second spacewalk is currently scheduled for Wednesday, but NASA is evaluating the situation and detemining the best path forward. Check back here or go to NASA’s ISS website for updates.
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