Second ISS spacewalk done and dusted Mission specialists Clayton Anderson and Rick Mastracchio today wrapped the second of three STS-131 mission spacewalks outside the International Space Station - a seven hour, 26 minute EVA during which they fitted a replacement Ammonia Tank Assembly (ATA). Clayton Anderson, STS-131 mission specialist. Pic: NASA The pair …
It has only just really hit me how utterly exhausting a 7 hour space-walk must be. I doubt those suits are the easiest things in the world to move and you have to constantly be alert due to the lack of gravity, everything must be choreographed, it must be knackering, I am agog.
I'll admit I laughed when that astronaut lost her toolkit up there but now I have say. Well done that lot.
As I understand it ammonia used in cooling systems is in a sealed closed-loop system (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonia_Refrigeration). I presume the ammonia leaked out into space? Considering the cost and difficulty of replacement perhaps better seals should be used next time.
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