Space

DATE=07/01/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=SPACEWALK WRAP (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-317170

BYLINE=DAVID McALARY

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

// Re-issuing from file of 6/30 w/correct day in intro //

HEADLINE: Space Station Crew Completes Maintenance Spacewalk

INTRO: The two U.S. and Russian space station crewmen repaired a vital steering mechanism during a spacewalk late Wednesday. VOA's David McAlary reports from Washington.

TEXT: Astronaut Mike Fincke and cosmonaut Gennady Padalka ventured outside to restore electricity to one of three functioning gyroscopes, which steer and stabilize the station. The power was blocked by a faulty switch in an extrerior circuit breaker.

Although the outpost can operate with only two gyros, station managers want the third as a backup. Without a spare, another gyro failure would force the use of jet thrusters, consuming more fuel.

Thruster exhaust would also contaminate astronauts on a future spacewalk. One is scheduled for early August, a looming deadline that gave impetus for the gyro repair.

An unusual aspect of this spacewalk was the use of Russian spacesuits for a job near the U.S. module. The American outfits have coolng problems. This required the crewmen to depart from the Russian hatch and make a longer than usual trek across the station to the worksite.

It also required dual control from Moscow and Houston, with one nation handing spacewalk oversight to the other whenever the crewmen crossed the boundary between U.S. and Russian space station modules on their way to and from the job. (SIGNED)

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