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The P3/P4 integrated truss structure and
solar arrays (C), attached to the shuttle Atlantis' robot arm (R) and the
International Space Station 's Canadarm2 (L) during handoff of the new
station component to the ISS for installation on the station in this view
from NASA TV September 11, 2006.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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Astronaut Joe Tanner works to make the
P3/P4 truss operational during his extravehicular excursion from the
International Space Station in this view from NASA TV, September 12,
2006.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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WASHINGTON,
Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Atlantis mission specialists Joe Tanner and Heidemarie
Stefanyshyn-Piper smoothly finished the first of three spacewalks Tuesday
morning, preparing the new truss for operation, according to NASA TV.
They climbed out of Quest airlock at 5:17 a.m. EDT.
During the six-and-a-half hours' excursion, the two spacewalking electricians
installed power and data cables between the new truss structures in preparation
for solar array deployment. The new truss element includes a set of new solar
arrays. They also released launch restraints on the solar panels and performed
other tasks to configure the structure for upcoming activities.
The truss will provide power, data and communication
services for the station. The arrays will be unfurled to a full length of 240
feet (73.2 meters) on Thursday and will eventually double the station's power
capabilities.
During the early stages of the spacewalk, the Mission
Control Center in Houston told the crew that no focused inspections of Atlantis'
heat shield were needed. The good news allows the crew to press ahead as planned
with the mission's second spacewalk Wednesday. Enditem
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