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back to article Second ISS spacewalk done and dusted

Mission specialists Clayton Anderson and Rick Mastracchio today wrapped the second of three STS-131 mission spacewalks outside the International Space Station - a seven hour, 26 minute EVA during which they fitted a replacement Ammonia Tank Assembly (ATA). Clayton Anderson, STS-131 mission specialist. Pic: NASA The pair …

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  1. Sureo
    Happy

    Bad bolts

    I see the spacies always seem to have trouble with bolts and screws. It is heartening to see that things don't change in space (and with billion dollar budgets). I recommend inclusion of a vice grip in the toolbag, it always works for me. Just please don't lose it, eh?

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  2. RJ
    Thumb Up

    Blimey

    It has only just really hit me how utterly exhausting a 7 hour space-walk must be. I doubt those suits are the easiest things in the world to move and you have to constantly be alert due to the lack of gravity, everything must be choreographed, it must be knackering, I am agog.

    I'll admit I laughed when that astronaut lost her toolkit up there but now I have say. Well done that lot.

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  3. Sureo

    Where did the ammonia go?

    As I understand it ammonia used in cooling systems is in a sealed closed-loop system (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonia_Refrigeration). I presume the ammonia leaked out into space? Considering the cost and difficulty of replacement perhaps better seals should be used next time.

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  4. iamapizza
    Coat

    Historic quote

    Clayton Anderson's quote after performing the Ammonia Tank Assembly fix, "Urine it now!"

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  5. gimbal
    Go

    And the able engineers may already be busy at work...

    ...redesigning those attachment points. I mean, don't they just make things make sense, in that industry? I presume that there would not be a margin for marketing, in the deep void of outer space.

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  6. Elwell
    FAIL

    Windows Fail

    Listening to them this morning (via somafm.com/missioncontrol/) and they were having trouble with one of the laptops on board - wasn't booting into windows and kept giving the 'do you want to start in safe mode' prompt. Nice to see some things are consistent even in space...

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  7. Stevie

    Mmm

    Spacemen are cool.

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