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Suited for space: third STS-126 spacewalk gets underway
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Rapidly rebounding from the loss of a $100,000 tool bag and equipment, the hard-working astronauts of STS-126 have just exited the International Space Station (ISS) for the third, and most arduous,spacewalk of this mission. Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, making her third spacewalk in five days, and Steve Bowen, making his second outside venture of the mission, received help suiting up, shown above,from Expedition 18 Commander Mike Fincke (bottom) and STS-126 Commander Chris Ferguson (top).
On Thursday, Piper and Shane Kimbrough returned to the "to do" home repair list on the station, successfully completing more repair tasks on the station's giant solar array. Earlier in the week, Piper and Bowen were working on a malfunctioning joint when a grease leakage led to the loss of a tool bag.
Piper had to watch helplessly as the tote and tools drifted into their own orbit. Since then, space walkers have been sharing tools.
Today the team will use a spare caulking gun that was onboard in case Endeavour needed any repairs before heading home. Mission managers have cleared the shuttle for re-entry without any repairs.
Other than that one glitch, the missionl's spacewalks have been going smooothly and ahead of schedule.
You can watch the spacewalk live on NASA TV.
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