Astronauts take last walk

Tue., Nov. 25, 2008

Associated Press

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Astronauts successfully carried out one last spacewalk Monday, finishing an unprecedented clean and lube job that they began a week ago at the International Space Station.

Spacewalker Stephen Bowen wrapped up work on a jammed solar-wing rotary joint as his partner, Shane Kimbrough, squirted some extra grease as a precaution on another joint that is working fine.

When the repairs to the gummed-up joint were deemed complete, Mission Control radioed up its applause.

“Finally,” Bowen exclaimed. “Thanks for your work,” replied Mission Control, erupting in laughter.

Just before Monday’s spacewalk began, NASA added a 16th day to space shuttle Endeavour’s mission. Managers wanted to give the astronauts more time to fix a machine that’s supposed to turn urine into drinking water; additional repairs were performed Monday for the fifth day in a row.

The extra day in space for Endeavour now means that the two crews will celebrate Thanksgiving together and not part company until Friday.

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Astronauts take last walk

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

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