posted 06-30-2020 09:11 PM               

ISS Expedition 63: U.S. Spacewalk 66

NASA astronauts Chris Cassidy and Bob Behnken are scheduled to exit the International Space Station's Quest airlock on Wednesday (July 1) to complete upgrading one of two power channels on the station's far starboard truss (S6 Truss).

Cassidy and Behnken are expected to begin the spacewalk at about 7:35 a.m. EDT (1135 GMT).

On their a prior spacewalk together on June 26, Cassidy and Behnken began the work to remove six nickel-hydrogen batteries and replace them with three new lithium-ion batteries and the adapter plates to connect the power circuit. The remaining tasks include installing one more lithium-ion battery and one more adapter plate and removing the sixth nickel-hydrogen battery that will no longer be used.

In addition, the spacewalkers will loosen the bolts on a second set the nickel-hydrogen batteries, setting up their replacement during two future spacewalks.

Cassidy and Behnken will also route power and ethernet cables in preparation for the installation of a new external wireless communications system supporting an enhanced HD camera and an increase to helmet camera coverage for future spacewalks. To support future power system upgrades, they will also remove a device called an "H-Fixture" that was installed before the space station's solar arrays were launched and added to the orbiting complex.

This will be the 229th spacewalk in support of space station assembly and maintenance. Cassidy will be extravehicular crew member 1, wearing the spacesuit with red stripes. Behnken will be extravehicular crew member 2, wearing the spacesuit with no stripes. It will be the eighth spacewalk for each astronaut.

posted 07-01-2020 02:07 PM               

Cassidy and Behnken wrap up battery spacewalk

Chris Cassidy and Bob Behnken concluded Wednesday's (July 1) spacewalk at 12:14 p.m. EDT (1714 GMT).

During the 6-hour and 1-minute EVA, the two astronauts completed the upgrade of the batteries for one power channel on a pair of the station's solar arrays.

Cassidy and Behnken installed the third and final new lithium-ion battery with its corresponding adapter plate and removed the last remaining older nickel-hydrogen battery from the 1B power channel.

The spacewalkers also loosened the bolts on the 3B channel's set of nickel-hydrogen batteries, setting up for their replacement during a pair of spacewalks planned for later this month.

Cassidy and Behnken also routed power and ethernet cables to prepare for the installation of a wireless communications system.

This was the eighth career spacewalk for both astronauts. Cassidy now has a total of 43 hours and 22 minutes and Behnken 49 hours and 41 minutes spacewalking.

Station crew members have now conducted 229 spacewalks in support of assembly and maintenance of the orbiting laboratory.