Yesterday, I reported about the dangerous spacewalk to take place today involving repairing the torn solar wing of the ISS. Thank the Lord, it turns out they were successful. From the BBC:
A US astronaut has carried out a dangerous spacewalk to repair a damaged solar panel on the International Space Station (ISS).
The energy-collecting wing developed a rip when it was being unfurled at the port end of the platform on Tuesday.
Scott Parazynski rode on the end of an extension boom to install home-made "cufflinks" to the broken section.
The repair work will enable the wing to be fully deployed and properly locked in position.
Mr Parazynski was supported from a nearby girder by spacewalking colleague Douglas Wheelock.
Mr Parazynski had to carry out the work without touching the torn solar panel, which could have given him a powerful shock if touched. His suit and tools were insulated for protection.
Vital repair
"Beautiful," said Mr Parazynsky as he completed more than fours hours of work outside the space station, more than 200 miles (320km) above the Earth.
A controller at Houston, Texas Mission Control, told the astronauts: "Nice teamwork... excellent work guys."
The repair was of vital importance to future shuttle flights.
Unless the wing can be extended fully, it may not be able to withstand the loading put on the platform when the orbiter docks.
Congrats all around....God bless our astronauts, and God bless America...
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