NASA finds crumbled solar panel on spacewalk

William Atkins
Wednesday, 31 October 2007 00:24

Science - Space

The third STS-120 spacewalk was proceeding smoothly. The two astronauts had bolted down a solar power tower to the International Space Station and had begun to extend out the solar panels when they noticed a rip in the second panel.

Astronauts Scott Parazynski and Douglas Wheelock were unfolding the solar panels on the 17.5 ton girder. The first one (6P solar array) was extended out to its full extent. However, about 80% of the way out, the second panel (4B solar array) showed a rip near the edge, with a possibly snagged hinge and guide wire.

NASA flight controllers are analyzing the photographs that were downloaded to the Mission Control Center (MCC) at the NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, Texas) to determine the extent of the damage.

Problems had already been discovered on a faulty Solar Array Rotating Joint (SARJ) assembly that allows the solar panels to rotate for them to be facing the sun so sunlight can be converted to electricity to power the space station.

Because of the tear, mission flight controller asked the astronauts to slightly retract the torn solar panel to relieve pressure.

The spacewalk lasted seven hours, eight minutes. In addition, during the spacewalk one of the astronaut’s gloves was torn while working.

Mission controllers are currently analyzing the problem with the faulty SARJ and the damaged 4B solar panel so that a possible solution can be implemented as quickly as possibly.

The mission managers holding the debriefing of the third spacewalk stated that the fourth spacewalk will be dedicated to inspecting the rotary joint such as removing protective coverings and panels to see what is causing the problem with the SARJ. Some parts to the SARJ could be replaced if they were found to be damaged.