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back to article NASA 'nauts wrap ISS pump job

Spacewalkers Tracy Caldwell Dyson and Doug Wheelock have successfully installed a new ammonia pump module to replace the one which failed on 31 July, taking out half of the International Space Stations's cooling system. Tracy Caldwell Dyson (left) and Doug Wheelock during today's spacewalk. Pic: NASA TV Caldwell Dyson (seen …

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  1. Sureo
    Happy

    astronaut rate

    Let's see, that's about 23 hours for two workers or 46 man hours. At the rate my plumber charges that would be $4600 plus parts. But I suppose the astronaut rate is a bit higher?

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    1. Steve Roper
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      I would imagine

      that it's astronomical.

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    2. Annihilator
      Reply Icon
      Joke

      re: astronaut rate

      Well, the call out charge is currently about $450m. But you usually get about 6 of them for that price, so it's not too bad.

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    3. Andus McCoatover
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      Bet NASA pays cash..

      Plumber-speak: "Saves on the VAT, Squire"

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    4. Steve 48
      Reply Icon
      Boffin

      But

      Much higher, you forgot to include working on a Sunday - another 2x$500 and most importantly the call out charge - $1.3 billion, but since they were in the area you get a bit of a discount - call it $600 million. Tell you what - make it a nice round $500 million cash & by the way you ought to sue the clowns that installed the first one - absolutely shocking workmanship...

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      1. TeeCee Gold badge
        Reply Icon
        Happy

        Re: But

        There's a fundamental error in there.

        You've assumed they can get the parts.......

        "Tsk, tsk. Haven't seen one of these for years mate, no call for 'em since the 4000F came out. Cheap was it? No? Saw you coming there they did. Tell you what, I know a lad who might have one on Earth....could get it up here maybe next week, maybe week after that? I'll tell you straight though, it ain't gonna be cheap.......Put the tea on while I make a couple of calls....."

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    5. Anonymous Coward
      Reply Icon
      Joke

      Yeah, but the call out fee

      would be astronomical!

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  2. richard 69
    Pint

    you've gotta hand it to them....

    it's a ridiculous amount of money but they've done a great job.....who wouldn't be shitting themselves if you had to hang onto the ISS to sort the cooling system out?

    somebody send them a carlsberg..

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    1. Andus McCoatover
      Reply Icon
      Unhappy

      Calsberg?

      You cheap b*astard!

      Make it a Guinness, and REALLY test that piss-filter out!

      I wouldn't dare hang on to the ISS in an EVA even to have a quick crafty smoke outside.

      Seriously, an outstanding job, as I've said before, brave buggers. I could never even contemplate doing that, no matter how much training I'd had.

      Shame when de-orbited, NASA's gonna aim it at Finland out of spite, as Finland's just been voted by Newsweek as the "world's best country", beating USA to 11th*

      Helmets off to them...Oops!

      *http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/08/newsweek_finland_worlds_best_country_1907500.html

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  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Cooling system?

    Cant they use a fan? Seems a bit of a faff to get the air con fixed!

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    1. Witty username
      Reply Icon
      Thumb Down

      Or

      Just crack a window open

      ...oh yeah, its in space.

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