Official RSC Energia Press Release about carrying out space walks by Yuri Malenchenko and Edward Lu on an outer surface of the International
Today the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and
the American astronaut Edward Lu have carried out a 6-hour space
walk.
The EVA objective was to make an inspection of
the International Space Station (ISS) structural members status,
lay and connect external electrical cables between the Zarya
Functional Cargo Block (FGB) and Zvezda Service Module (SM)
as well as install a boom carrying magnetometer on the SM surface.
At 8 hours 47 minutes Moscow Time (4:47 GMT)
Yu. Malenchenko and E. Lu changed over to self-contained electric
power of spacesuits and opened exit hatch. The Space Shuttle
Atlantis remote manipulator made it possible for them to transfer
to cable connection working area on the FGB surface with the
subsequent movement across FGB and SM holding auto the handholds
on their surfaces.
In the course of extra vehicular activities (EVA)
the following operations have been performed: assembly of four
cables as part of power supply system; two cables of onboard
complex control system; two TV cables and one cable of Tranzit
B type of the EVA – based radio-talks system; inspection and
maximum possible deployment of the docking alignment target
installed on the Zvezda SM and designed to assure backup (tele-operated)
control mode during rendezvous and docking of the Unity-Zarya
stack with Service Module (which was not used during nominal
automatic docking of the Zvezda Module occured on July 26, 2000);
mounting of the Yakor foot restraint on an external surface
of SM working compartment, whereby it became possible to install
boom carrying magnetometer CM-8M, which is a backup sensor of
the ISS attitude control system.
At 15 hours 01 minute Moscow Time (11:01 GMT)
Yu. Malenchenko and E. Lu switched over their spacesuits to
onboard electrical power following their coming back to the
Space Shuttle Atlantis and closure of the exit hatches.
The Lead Operational Control Team (LO CT) personnel
at the Moscow Mission Control Center (MCC-M) controlled the
ISS onboard systems operation during the EVA – specific activities
conducted by Yu. Malenchenko and E. Lu.
Houston Mission Control Center (MCC-H) controlled
operation of the Space Shuttle Atlantis onboard systems as well
as provided cooperation with its crew, assured EVA conducted
by the Russian cosmonaut Yu. Malenchenko and the American astronaut
E. Lu.
According to the LOCT experts data, the ISS during
space walks was in an orbit with the following parameters: inclination
of 51.6*, maximum and minimum flight altitudes of 381,0 and
353,0 km, respectively; period of rotation about the Earth of
91,6 minutes.
After 16 hours 28 minutes 47 seconds Moscow Time
(12:28:47 GMT) the orbit of the Space Station involving logistics
vehicle Progress M1-3, Zvezda Service Module (SM), Zarya Functional
Cargo Block (FGB), Unity Module RSTS Atlantis was reboosted
via the US Space Shuttle thrusters.
Crew transfer to the Space Station is scheduled
to start on September 12, 2000 at 6 hours 46 minutes Moscow
Time (2:45 GMT) after the hatch into the Unity Module is opened.
Then successive opening of the Zarya FGB, Zvezda SM, logistics
vehicle Progress M1-3 hatches will follow, whereupon the activities
concerning unloading of the American and Russian space vehicles,
installing the hardware delivered and activation of the Zvezda
Module systems will come into play.