Astronauts To Release Tiny Satellite During Spacewalk
CAPE CANAVERAL (CBSMiami/AP) — A couple of housekeeping tasks are tap for a pair of spacewalking Russian astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
Russians Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Artemiev, who ventured out Monday, will set loose a tiny Peruvian research satellite, install fresh science experiments and retrieve old ones.
The nanosatellite is just 4 inches square and barely 2 pounds. It holds cameras that will aim at Earth. It's a technological learning experience for the National University of Engineering in Lima.
The satellite is named Chasqui (CHOS-key) after the Inca messengers who were fleet of foot.
Meanwhile, American spacewalks remain on hold. NASA hoped to resume spacewalks this month after a yearlong investigation but delayed the activity until fall to get fresh spacesuit batteries on board.
The SpaceX company will deliver the batteries on a Dragon supply ship next month.
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