On Tuesday's spacewalk, NASA astronauts Chris Cassidy and Robert Behnken will remove two lifting devices used for ground processing of the station's solar panels before launch. They will also begin preparing the Tranquility module for the installation of a commercial airlock scheduled to arrive on a SpaceX cargo flight later this year. The airlock will be used to deploy commercial and government-sponsored experiments in space.
Behnken will be designated as a member of the extravehicular 1 crew for the spacewalk. Look for him in a red striped spacesuit. Cassidy will be a member of the extravehicular 2 crew, in a suit without stripes.
EarthSky's annual crowdfunding campaign is in progress. In 2020, we are donating 8.5% to No Kids Hungry. Please donate to help us keep going and help feed a child!
Many thanks to the # heroes from around the world who are fighting on the front line of the pandemic. Your disinterest will always be appreciated. #thankyou pic.twitter.com/TlgmyrmhQ7
- Chris Cassidy (@Astro_SEAL) July 17, 2020
On the July 16 spacewalk, astronauts removed six aged nickel-hydrogen batteries for the second of two power channels for starboard armor 6 (S6), installed three new lithium-ion batteries, and installed all three plates. associated adapters that are used to complete the power circuit to the new batteries. Mission Control reports that all three new batteries are working.
In total, 12 spacewalks have been conducted since January 2017 to change the batteries for eight power channels used to route electricity to the station.
NASA astronaut Bob Behnken (left) is photographed during a spacewalk to change batteries and upgrade power systems in the Starboard-6 lattice structure of the International Space Station. In the image, at the bottom right, there is an external paddle, held by the Canadarm2 robotic arm, which housed the replaced batteries in the orbiting lab. Behnken was joined during the 6-hour, 7-minute excursion by NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy (out of frame). Image via NASA.
Bottom line: Look at two ISS astronauts walking on July 21, 2020.
Through NASA
