Toolbag lost during spacewalk at International Space Station

by Rich Bowden - Nov 18 2008, 19:56

NASA has reported that the first spacewalk conducted by the STS-126 crew outside the International Space Station will resume after a toolbag was lost into the depths of space.

Img: STS-126 first spacewalk. Credit: NASA

According to the U.S. space administration, mission specialist Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper reported that one of her lubrication tools had leaked grease into the toolbag while she was performing exterior maintenance. Then, while attempting to clean the tools and equipment of grease, the entire toolbag floated away beyond her reach.However, NASA has been keen to stress the mishap does not pose a major threat to the mission and there is enough remaining equipment for the astronauts to complete their four scheduled spacewalks. Another bag carrying identical equipment will now be shared by the mission crew.Earlier, the officials described the first spacewalk of Stefanyshyn-Piper and her colleague Steve Bowen as including "the replacement of a nitrogen tank assembly, assorted station assembly tasks, and the start of cleaning and lubrication of the starboard solar alpha rotary joint."The spacewalk is set to resume after the mishap and expected to continue for six-and-a-half hours.

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CuriousNov 23rd, 2008 - 18:19:59

What force caused the toolbag to accelerate/drift away from the space station. We were later told that the toolbag was several miles ahead of the space station and continuing to move away.

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Toolbag lost during spacewalk at International Space Station

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