Monday, March 23, 2009

Space station: not an easy walk

Murphy's law applies in space, too. (An aviation version of the law is, "If it is physically possible to install a part incorrectly, someone will install it that way.") Saturday, two astronauts doing an EVA for an other wise very successful ISS construction mission accidentally installed a pin upside down, jamming an equipment platform in place. Another EVA Monday loosened the pin but couldn't get the platform to extend properly. Eventually, the astronauts had to come in and pack up for Earth. They will leave behind a station with its truss and solar wing installations complete, nearly ready for a six-person crew.

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