Credits NASA/ESA

Yesterday, the crew had half a day off to rest and recover from the long spacewalk. In brief, EVA #22 achieved the following tasks:

  • Remove and replace the Space-to-Ground Transmitter Receiver Controller (SGTRC)-2
  •  Retrieve Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE)-8 Passive Experiment Container (PEC) and Optical Reflector Materials Experiment Ram/Wake (ORMatE)
  • Install Starboard Radiator Grapple Bars
  • Install MLM Power Cable
  • Remove Mobile Remote Servicer (MRS) Base System (MBS) Mast Camera Light and Pan Tilt Assembly (CLPA)
  • Install Port Radiator Grapple Bar
  • Install Z1 Y-Bypass Jumper
  • Install PMA2 Cover Install

Because the spacewalkers finished their tasks earlier than planned, they managed to complete another set of “get-ahead” tasks:

  • AMS Photography
  • Temp Stow PMA2 Cover Bag
  • PDGF FOD Removal
  • PDGF 1553 Cable Install

The crew has already started preparations for the second EVA, planned for Tuesday 16 July. As part of the post-EVA work, Luca is packing up some of the items that were removed during the EVA and brought inside, including the two experiments – ORMatE and PEC – he removed from the starboard truss.

Luca is also preparing the tools needed for his next spacewalk. The tools are specially designed so they can be used with the EVA gloves.

Credits: NASA/ESA

In order to keep in good shape, the crew will perform number of exercises before they go out for the second spacewalk.

The day before the next EVA will include another in-depth review of the procedures to be followed, so that the spacewalkers have all the details of their activities fresh in their minds.

As with the first EVA, the astronauts are scheduled to leave the airlock on 12:15 GMT, with the spacewalk taking place between 13:00 GMT and 19:00 GMT.

Here at the Columbus Control Centre, we are back to our normal work schedule after the EVA. As Mission Director Roland Luettgens observed, “Spacewalks with a European Astronaut require particular attention and every move he or she makes is followed by us. Luca did a tremendous job – he even performed one of the activities all by himself, even though it was planned for both spacewalkers.”

“We are all proud and happy after the long day on Tuesday and we are looking forward to Luca’s next spacewalk”.

…standing by for the updated plan of the next EVA, to be published here soon…