Astronauts’ ‘priceless view’ in shuttle walk
Astronauts Stephen Robinson and Soichi Noguchi spent five hours exchanging the broken 660lb gyroscope, which failed in 2002, with a new one.
"Oh, the view is priceless," Mr Noguchi said as he hitched a ride to Discovery's cargo bay on the outpost's robotic arm. "I can see the moon."
With Mr Robinson's help, Mr Noguchi secured the controller aboard the shuttle and retrieved the new gyroscope for installation. After hours of tedious bolting and unbolting with specialised silver drivers, the pair completed the installation.
"This is just like putting in a plane engine," said Mr Robinson, a pilot.
Their seven-hour-plus spacewalk came a day after NASA officials said they may consider sending them to repair material dangling from Discovery's belly during a third spacewalk scheduled for tomorrow.
But there remains debate among engineers and others over how to handle what would be an unprecedented repair and whether it is even necessary.
During their first spacewalk on Saturday, the pair restored power to another gyroscope, which had stopped spinning in March. The gyroscopes are among four that help steer the station.
"Being outside was the most incredible experience I've certainly ever felt so far, and I almost can't believe we get to do it again," Mr Robinson said on Sunday as he prepared for his second orbital outing.
Once Discovery undocks from the station Saturday, NASA hopes to have all four gyroscopes operating simultaneously for the first time in three years.
Meanwhile, NASA officials were scrambling to determine if repairs were needed by the astronauts. Some engineers worry the material that is protruding from between thermal tiles in two areas beneath the shuttle near its nose could trigger potentially treacherous overheating during re-entry.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
