ESA Blogs

It's a wrap!

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 22:18:00

So, as the ISS crew clean up for the day, here at the Columbus Control Centre we are going to do the same. Our first EVA, and our first blog, we've learnt a lot from the experience - we hope you enjoyed it. Thanks to Reinhold and Gerhard for giving us an insight into the world of an astronaut. A thank you to all of you who contributed or paid us a visit.

Total EVA time: 5 hours 54 minute

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 22:04:00

The airlock repressurisation was started at 21:58 CEST - marking the official end of the spacewalk.

Having done a small calculation, Reiter's total EVA time after three EVAs is now 14 hours 16 minutes, and Williams' 19 hours 9 minutes.

A successful day at the office

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 21:52:00

The official end of the spacewalk is when they start with repressurisation inside the airlock. For now Williams and Reiter are going through procedures to switch the power source of their spacesuits and check other parameters.

"This has been a very successful EVA" says Reinhold Ewald. "The two of them have not only done all of their scheduled tasks faster than planned, but also completed many get-ahead tasks which are very important in preparation for future ISS missions."

Time to return inside the airlock

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 21:46:00

After spending a few moments to enjoy the view, it is time to go back inside. Reiter is already inside the crew lock whilst Williams hands him equipment for stowage.

Reiter and Williams are thanking the teams on the ground. They are also congratulated on a job well done.

21:48 Williams is now also inside the airlock and they are closing the hatch.

They are checking the hatch is clear of obstructions after closing the thermal cover.

Smile please!

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 21:43:00

Some last photos for the album. This image shows the view from Reiter's helmet looking towards the Quest airlock - as the spacewalkers pause for a photo opportunity.

Back to the Quest Airlock

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 21:28:00

Williams and Reiter are starting to wrap-up for the day. The last get-ahead get-ahead task is nearly completed. They have been instructed to make their way back to the airlock where they have to restow tools and equipment. They will be heading inside soon. Reiter wants to take some last photos of Williams before they finish up.

A room with a view

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 21:08:00

There is some time to admire the view and take some more photos. Williams gives us a look at the view throught his EVA helmet camera. Just before that there was a sunrise - "WOW!" - Thomas Reiter was clearly enjoying the spectacle.

New frontiers

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 21:02:00

Williams is busy installing a foot restraint - a get-ahead get-ahead task.. i.e. this one really wasn't planned, but they are so far ahead in the planning, that there is time for an extra task. Williams had to make his way to the backside of the S0 Truss and was heard exclaiming "I've never been here before" - Steve Bowen who is coaching the spacewalkers from NASA Mission Control Center, in Houston, retorted with "I don't think anyone has ever been here before!"

"I am a sweet guy"

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 20:46:00

The EVA suits have a pouch in which the astronauts can take water with them. The pouch is located on the chest, with a straw running up into the helmet. "It is up to the individual how much they take with them," says Thiele.

As for food, when Thiele was doing EVA training it wasn't an option. Today though Thiele believes that some of the astronauts take an energy bar with them.

But being in space does something strange with the taste buds. Thiele told us how he is known for having a sweet tooth "I am a sweet guy," he told us. "Our Shuttle crew was known as the 'Chocolate crew'. I had five chocolate bars with me during that mission, but by day seven I hadn't even touched them. You find that your taste changes in space - you develop a taste for salty and spicy food."

EVA tasks continue

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 20:35:00

As the International Space Station flys over Mauritius the spacewalkers continue to make good time.

Williams is starting to stow items into the airlock, one of the clean-up tasks that they would usual perform at the end of the spacewalk. Meanwhile Reiter is working on installing a vent valve on the outside of the US Destiny module (the work area is indicated by the red circle on the image). He is performing a leak check of the valve.

Williams may next move on to an extra get-ahead task.

What happens if you sneeze?

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 20:25:00

According to Gerhard Thiele (photo right) sneezing inside the EVA helmet is to be avoided at all costs "It's a mess!"

And if you get an itch, you might be able to rub up against the spacesuit, but other than that, there is not a lot you can do in an American EVA spacesuit. If however you are lucky enough to be in a Russian Orlan suit, there might be a solution.

"There is a bit more room in the Orlan," Thiele explained. "You can lean to one side and pull your arm out of the glove and sleeve. But mostly you are so concentrated during the spacewalk, that you might not even notice an itch."

Reiter works with infrared camera

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 20:08:00

Reiter has been working on a get-ahead task - the set-up and test of the infrared camera. The photo shows the view from Reiter's spacesuit camera. This camera can be used for identification of leaks and thermal performance degredation.

Speedy gonzalez!

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 19:37:00

The spacewalkers are one and a half hours ahead of schedule on the timeline! Williams and Reiter are both going to spend some time on get-ahead tasks. These are tasks that were not the main objectives of this EVA, but would be added to the timeline if time became available.

Williams has started work on installing a CETA light on the S1 Truss. CETA stands for Crew and Equipment Translation Aid - CETA carts are located on the mobile transporter on the ISS truss and enable crew and equipment to be relocated at different points along the truss.

The CETA lights help the astronauts when they are doing EVA work during night time passes (one can be seen in this image, to the left of centre against the Earth's horizon in the background - credit: NASA).

See the ISS

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 19:24:00

The International Space Station can actually be seen from the ground... although the weather conditions need to be better than they are here today in Oberpfaffenhofen.

Provided you know in which direction to look, spotting the ISS with the naked eye is not as difficult as it might seem. Although the ISS travels at a speed of 7.7 km per second, it is just 400 km above our heads - and thanks to its large solar panels it is one of the brightest objects in the night sky, it is fairly easy to spot from when it rises above the horizon in a westerly direction, until it sets towards the East.

The best time for ISS viewing is at dusk, just after the Sun has set, or just before sunrise early in the morning.

There are some good passes for Europe in the coming days - visit http://www.esa.int/seeiss to find out when it is visible from where you are.

You could even try to take a photo like this one we received from Steven Penfold from Hampshire, England. He captured this colourful timelapse photograph of ISS passing Jupiter on the night of 16 June 2006.

Radiator repairs

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 19:01:00

Williams and Reiter have split up for the next task - Williams is working on the Rotary Joint Motor Controller (RJMC) installation on the S1 Truss, whilst Reiter is replacing the Thermal Radiator Multiplexer/Demultiplexer (...that was a mouthful!)

Both of these tasks have to do with the radiators on the S1 Truss (see NASA website for more about the Truss structure). The S1 radiator can be seen in the image right, it is the horizontal white structure - these structures are deployed on ISS to help dissipate heat.

One to send to the folks at home

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 18:16:00

They are making good time which has given the astronauts a moment to take a few photographs. After installing the MISSE-4 pallet, Williams posed whilst Reiter took out his camera - "Smile!"

MISSE installation

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 18:06:00

The next task to install the MISSE-3 and -4 experiments is also completed. For this task Williams and Reiter split up and each installed a MISSE pallet at different locations on the outside of the ISS.

MISSE is a test-bed for materials and coatings. The materials are exposed to space to be evaluated for the effects of atomic oxygen, direct sunlight, and extremes of heat and cold. This experiment allows the development and testing of new materials to better understand the rigours of the space environment. The materials may have applications in the design of future spacecraft.

The photo shows a MISSE pallet which was previously installed on ISS (Credit: NASA)

Is spacewalking tiring?

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 18:00:00

Gerhard Thiele has experience of EVA training in the NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Lab in Houston. We asked him if it was tiring to do an EVA...

He explained that the main thing that makes it tiring is working against resistance created by the pressure inside the suit. "It's like having your arm in a ballon that is inflated - imagine if you want to bend your arm. The balloon wants to stay straight and you have to work against it" Thiele explained.

"You have to remember to try to relax now and then if you get a break and let the suit take up its natural shape, otherwise by the end of the six or seven hours you really start to notice it."

Spacewalkers ahead of schedule

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 17:45:00

The EVA is progressing well - they are slightly ahead of schedule. ESA astronaut Gerhard Thiele has just joined us - "It is going well - they were slightly behind schedule at the start after it took longer than expected to open the hatch. They are rolling now!"

Williams and Reiter have returned to the Airlock where they are retrieving equipment for their next tasks.

Interesting facts about this EVA...

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 17:29:00

1. This is the third EVA for both Williams and Reiter (the photo is from Thomas's second EVA from Mir in February 1996)

2. This is the 68th EVA in the construction of the International Space Station

3. This is the first time a German flag has been worn on the American EMU spacesuit

4. This is the 22nd spacewalk from the Quest Airlock

5. This is the first time since May 2003 that an Expedition crew member has remained inside the Space Station during an EVA - the Expedition crews were reduced to two after the Columbia accident.

6. Thomas Reiter is the first ESA astronaut to go on a spacewalk from the International Space Station.

7. Williams and Reiter will see 4 sunrises and 4 sunsets during the EVA

8. This is the 4th EVA from the International Space Station within the last month - 3 EVAs were performed during the STS-121 Space Shuttle mission

Installation FPMU continues

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 17:13:00

The spacewalkers continue with the installation of the Floating Potential Measurement Unit. They have it in place and are tightening bolts around the base using a drill specially made for use during EVAs - it is called a pistol grip tool. The image here shows the view from the camera on William's helmet. You can see the curve of the Earth in the background - must be an amazing view up there!

First task

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 16:28:00

Having closed the hatch behind them, the astronauts are now making their way to the site of their first task. They are moving very slowly and deliberately, although their true speed as they and the Space Station orbit the Earth is 28 000 km/h!

They are heading for the end of the S1 Truss section where they will install a Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU). This is a device which will be used to monitor ISS charging so that steps can be taken to provide a safer environment for the astronauts during EVAs. The FPMU also measures electron density and electron temperature.

Reiter exits through hatch

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 16:25:00

Thomas Reiter has now also left the Space Station through the Quest Airlock. He is wearing an all white suit, William's suit has red stripes around the legs and arms.

They are currently flying over Australia.

Heading into darkness

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 16:17:00

The Space Station is currently in darkness as it passes through the Earth's shadow. The astronauts are ready to start the spacewalk, I hope they aren't scared of the dark!

Williams is serving as EV1 during this spacewalk and is first to leave through the hatch. Reiter as EV2 will be second out. They will both be tethered to the Station in two places throughout the spacewalk - a safety measure to make sure they don't float away.

Hatch opened... proceeding with egress procedures

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 16:04:00

After some initial problems the hatch is open.

Williams and Reiter inside the crew lock have switched to battery power on their spacesuits at 16:04 CEST - signifying the start of the spacewalk. They are now going through a number of procedures before exiting through the hatch.

Problems to open hatch fully...

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 16:00:00

To prove just how difficult it is to take a walk in space... they are having problems opening the hatch fully.

Ready to take a walk

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 15:57:00

Reiter and Williams have started to open the hatch.

Unlike here on Earth, you can't simply open the door and away you go. They have to go through a whole procedure to tether themselves and all the EVA equipment to make sure nothing floats away.

To give you an idea.. the picture right shows an astronaut leaving through the hatch (Photo: NASA).

"EVA suits and comfort don't go together!"

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 15:38:00

EVA suits are not comfortable... ESA astronauts Gerhard Thiele and Reinhold Ewald who are helping us with the blog have been telling us about their EVA training experiences. If you get into your suit and you feel ok - then something isn't right.

Depressurisation of Quest completed

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 15:29:00

Thomas Reiter has just activated the Infrared camera that will be tested later in the spacewalk.

25 minutes to go until they leave through the hatch.

Depressurising Quest crew lock

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 15:16:00

The spacewalk crew are in the Quest Airlock which is being depressurised. Thomas Reiter and Jeff Williams are scheduled to go out the door in about 40 minutes. The lowering of the pressure is done in stages where they gradually lower the pressure - checking now and then to be sure there are no leaks in their suits.

Crew preparing for EVA

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 13:22:00

The crew are preparing for the spacewalk, which is due to start at 15:55 CEST. This includes the pre-breathe protocol, which helps the astronauts to avoid decompression sickness in EVA. To do this they breathe pure oxygen while exercising, which clears nitrogen from the blood.

The picture to the right shows NASA astronauts Sellers and Wolf wearing the pre-breathe masks before a spacewalk during the STS-112 Shuttle mission in 2002.

Welcome to the EVA Blog

Wed, 2 Aug 2006 10:50:00

Tomorrow afternoon at 15:55 CEST (13:55 UT) ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter and his NASA colleague Jeff Williams will venture outside the International Space Station (ISS) to begin a spacewalk - also known as Extra-vehicular Activity, or EVA.

For six and a half hours Reiter and Williams will install new equipment in preparation of future ISS assembly work. They will also mount a number of instruments and experiments on the exterior of the Station.

For the duration of the spacewalk, editors located within the Columbus Control Centre (Col-CC) in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, will provide you with up to date information on the progress of the spacewalk in this EVA blog.

So what exactly is an EVA?

Wed, 2 Aug 2006 10:38:00

A quick google of the term 'EVA' and in the context of this particular EVA Blog you won't be much the wiser. Try 'spacewalk' and we're getting there.

Wikipedia gets straight to the point...

It's all in the planning

Wed, 2 Aug 2006 10:27:00

The spacewalkers have a list of tasks to perform within the allotted EVA time. NASA astronaut Steve Bowen, who will act as spacewalk intravehicular officer from the International Space Station Flight Control Room in Houston's Mission Control Center, will coach Williams and Reiter through a pre-planned EVA timeline...