Spacewalk needed to fix ammonia leak on International Space Station
Astronauts on the International Space Station are preparing for an unscheduled space walk to fix leaking ammonia, which is used to cool the power panels on the station.
While Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, who is currently commanding the station, won’t be one of two people doing the spacewalk, he will be assisting from inside. Astronauts Chris Cassidy and Tom Marshburn are preparing for the walk.
“The crew is not in danger, and the station continues to operate normally otherwise,” NASA said in a press release issued Thursday. “Work is underway to reroute power channels to maintain full operation of the systems normally controlled by the solar array that is cooled by the suspect loop.”
Crews discovered the leak after they saw small white flakes floating away from the station Thursday, says NASA. Using cameras and data from ground crews, members of the International Space Station were able to determine that the rate of the ammonia leak was increasing.
On Twitter, Hadfield called the situation “serious” on Thursday evening.
It is a serious situation, but between crew and experts on the ground, it appears to have been stabilized. Tomorrow we find out for certain.
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) May 9, 2013
Hadfield used his Twitter account to announce the change of plans on Friday morning.
Good Morning, Earth! Big change in plans, spacewalk tomorrow, Chris Cassidy and Tom Marshburn are getting suits and airlock ready. Cool!
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) May 10, 2013
The whole team is ticking like clockwork, readying for tomorrow. I am so proud to be Commander of this crew. Such great, capable, fun people
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) May 10, 2013