Spacewalk begins to repair panel

An astronaut has begun a dangerous spacewalk to try to fix a damaged solar panel on the International Space Station (ISS). The energy-collecting wing developed a rip when it was being unfurled at the port end of the platform on Tuesday. Spacewalk begins to repair panel Scott Parazynski will ride the end of an extension boom installing home-made "cufflinks" to the broken section. If the patch job is a success it will enable the wing to be fully deployed and properly locked in position. It will be a testing few hours for Parazynski, who will be supported from a nearby girder by spacewalking colleague Douglas Wheelock. 'Fix it' The torn solar panel could give a powerful shock if touched. "Go out and fix that thing for us," station commander Peggy Whitson said, as the men left the station more than 200 miles (320 km) above the Earth. The outcome of the repairs is of vital importance to future shuttle flights. If the wing is not extended fully, it may not be able to withstand the loading put on the platform when the orbiter docks. Parazynski's suit and tools have been insulated to ensure he does not get shocked as he tries to fix the damaged panel. Nasa officials say the 35m (115ft) wing probably snagged on a guidewire, or guidewire, support as it was being unfurled, but until Parazynski gets a close look at the damaged area he will not know precisely what needs to be done to fix it. He is carrying a collection of tools that can be put to different uses. The cufflinks will be inserted to support the hinges in the retractable panel. The next shuttle, due in December, is supposed to deliver Europe's main contribution to the ISS project - its Columbus laboratory. Failure to sort the solar panel problem on Saturday would leave Nasa no choice but to delay the December flight while it worked through possible, alternative solutions. That would keep the already much-delayed Columbus sitting on the ground even longer. The ISS is currently being visited by space shuttle Discovery. Astronauts from the orbiter have already attached the new Harmony module to a temporary location on the station. The unit will be moved into a permanent site once the orbiter has left. Harmony will act as a passageway between three science laboratories: The existing US Destiny lab, and the soon-to-launch European Columbus and Japanese Kibo experimental units.

Spacewalk begins to repair panel

Scott Parazynski will ride the end of an extension boom installing home-made "cufflinks" to the broken section.

If the patch job is a success it will enable the wing to be fully deployed and properly locked in position.

It will be a testing few hours for Parazynski, who will be supported from a nearby girder by spacewalking colleague Douglas Wheelock.

'Fix it'

The torn solar panel could give a powerful shock if touched.

"Go out and fix that thing for us," station commander Peggy Whitson said, as the men left the station more than 200 miles (320 km) above the Earth.

The outcome of the repairs is of vital importance to future shuttle flights.

If the wing is not extended fully, it may not be able to withstand the loading put on the platform when the orbiter docks.

Parazynski's suit and tools have been insulated to ensure he does not get shocked as he tries to fix the damaged panel.

Nasa officials say the 35m (115ft) wing probably snagged on a guidewire, or guidewire, support as it was being unfurled, but until Parazynski gets a close look at the damaged area he will not know precisely what needs to be done to fix it.

He is carrying a collection of tools that can be put to different uses.

The cufflinks will be inserted to support the hinges in the retractable panel.

The next shuttle, due in December, is supposed to deliver Europe's main contribution to the ISS project - its Columbus laboratory.

Failure to sort the solar panel problem on Saturday would leave Nasa no choice but to delay the December flight while it worked through possible, alternative solutions. That would keep the already much-delayed Columbus sitting on the ground even longer.

The ISS is currently being visited by space shuttle Discovery. Astronauts from the orbiter have already attached the new Harmony module to a temporary location on the station. The unit will be moved into a permanent site once the orbiter has left.

Harmony will act as a passageway between three science laboratories: The existing US Destiny lab, and the soon-to-launch European Columbus and Japanese Kibo experimental units.