Spacewalking Astronauts Delay Satellite Release
CAPE CANAVERAL (CBS4) – Two Russian cosmonauts have stepped outside the International Space Station for a planned six-hour spacewalk for work outside the ISS but not everything has gone as planned.
Flight controllers halted the release of a ham radio satellite outside the International Space Station because of an antenna problem.
Russian Sergei Volkov took the boxy 57-pound satellite out with him as he emerged from the space station. He was all set to let it loose with his left gloved hand when Mission Control outside Moscow called off the operation.
TV images showed only one antenna sticking out of the boxy satellite. There were supposed to be two antennas, said NASA spacewalk commentator Josh Byerly.
Mission Control directed Volkov and his spacewalking partner, Alexander Samokutyaev, to continue with other work as experts on the ground debated whether the satellite could be released later in the excursion or whether it would have to wait until another day.
The mini satellite is a prototype for a series of educational satellites under development by Radio Amateur Satellite Corp., NASA and a Russian aerospace company.
It holds radio messages marking this year's 50th anniversary of the launch of the first spaceman, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. It also has a beacon for tracking Morse code and a student experiment designed to transmit Earth views.
Mission Control told Volkov to secure the satellite to a handrail and go ahead with the installation of an experimental laser-based transmitting system, about the size of a barbecue pit.
"Will do," Volkov replied.
A Russian cargo ship launched the satellite to the orbiting outpost in January.
Once all of their tasks are complete, the two spacwalkers will snap a few photos.
Four other men are aboard the space station: two Americans, one Japanese and one other Russian
The next Russian spacewalk is planned for February 2012.
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