Breaking News, World News and Taiwan News.

Updated Friday, November 20, 2009 10:24 am TWN, By Marcia Dunn, AP

Shuttle astronauts get set for spacewalk to work on space station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis' astronauts are about to step out on the first spacewalk of their mission. Michael Foreman and Dr. Robert Satcher Jr. will float outside Thursday morning to hook up a spare antenna and cables on the International Space Station (ISS). They also will tackle some other chores.

It will be the first spacewalk for Satcher. He became the first orthopedic surgeon in space, with Atlantis' liftoff earlier this week.

Three spacewalks are planned during the shuttle's weeklong visit, which began with a smooth docking Wednesday.

Already, the astronauts have unloaded several tons of pumps, tanks and other big spare parts. All this gear should keep the space station operating well past next year's shuttle retirement.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

Share

Print

Email


Sponsors
▪	Find great real time deals on China Flights. Book flights to China or China domestic flights 24/7.
▪	Buy china wholesale products from reliable chinese wholesalers on DHgate.com!
▪	Save 70% for hotel in Shanghai and 6000 hotels, in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and all China.
▪	Get the best deals for Guangzhou Hotels or choose from more than 10,000 hotels in 499 Chinese cities.