U.S. astronauts to the space station for a new battery
Xinhua Washington, May 21: The United States “Atlantis” Space Shuttle crew of two astronauts conducted 21 since launch the third and final spacewalk for the space station’s two solar panels installed blocks of a new battery.
Accomplish this task is the “Atlantis” mission specialist Michael Goode and Garrett Reisman. They installed a new battery each weighing 170 kilograms, cost as much as 3.6 million U.S. dollars, and remove the old batteries will be shipped back to Earth. In addition, the two astronauts for the space station cooling system is also connected to a new cable.
“Atlantis” on this trip to the space station were delivered 6 new batteries RN873 , GW240 and so on , Michael Goode and another astronaut Steve Bowen walk in the space 19 has been installed on four.
Space station solar panel battery has been in service for 10 years. NASA hopes the shuttle retired before the end of the year, these batteries “new for old.” Launched in July last year, the “Endeavour” astronauts have replaced the six batteries.
“Atlantis” No. 14 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for launch to the International Space Station, the 12-day mission, the main task is to the ISS Russian-made “Dawn” was a small experimental tank, solar cells and Ku-band antenna and other key components and cargo.
This is the “Atlantis” was the first since 1985, serving 32 flights, is also planned last. “Discovery” and “Endeavour” was will be held in September, the final flight in November, followed by the United States will retire its space shuttle.