Spacewalking astronaut copes with frayed tether, bad jetpack (Update)

Source: Phys.org

Spacewalking astronaut copes with frayed tether, bad jetpack (Update)

October 20, 2017 by Marcia Dunn

A spacewalking astronaut successfully replaced a blurry camera outside the International Space Station on Friday, but had to contend with a balky jetpack and a frayed safety tether.

Both jetpacks and safety ties are crucial for saving a flyaway astronaut.

NASA said Joe Acaba was always securely attached to the orbiting outpost and never in any danger during the nearly seven-hour spacewalk.

But one of his tethers had to be replaced shortly after he and station commander Randy Bresnik floated outside. Mission Control noticed the red lifeline was frayed and worn. Bresnik went back to the air lock to get Acaba a spare.

Then five hours into the spacewalk, Mission Control saw that the right handle on Acaba's emergency jetpack was popped open—again. Bresnik once more went to his crewmate's assistance, even offering some tape to keep it down.

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Read more: https://phys.org/news/2017-10-spacewalking-astronauts-blurry-camera-robot.html