Astronauts set for unplanned space walk to fix solar array (AFP)

From Yahoo! News: Science News:

HOUSTON, United States (AFP) - Astronauts are set to undertake another space walk to dislodge a stuck solar array on the International Space Station, following several failed attempts to fold the array automatically. Specialists Robert Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang will walk into open space at 2:12 pm EST (1912 GMT) to try again to unstick the solar panels in an unscheduled fourth spacewalk on Monday. On Saturday, the astronauts completed a delicate rewiring of the space station but were unable to get the jammed array to fold into its box, according to the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration. "We are going to do a fourth EVA (extravehicular activity) and finish it," ISS flight director John Curry told reporters. "And ... I am very confident now we will probably be able to get that done." During the space walk, Curbeam and Fuglesang will attempt to free up the array for retraction with several techniques, including pulling guide wires and pushing panel hinges, officials said. If necessary, the spacewalkers will shake the panel.

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