US Spacewalkers Swap, Check Coolers 'Leaky' And 'Frosty'

(@FahadShabbir)

US spacewalkers swap, check coolers 'Leaky' and 'Frosty'

A pair of American astronauts began a spacewalk outside the International Space Station Wednesday to swap and check on two external cooling boxes, nicknamed "Leaky" and "Frosty," NASA said

Tampa, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th May, 2018 ) :A pair of American astronauts began a spacewalk outside the International Space Station Wednesday to swap and check on two external cooling boxes, nicknamed "Leaky" and "Frosty," NASA said.

The boxes, each about the size of a mini-refrigerator or window AC unit, are crucial to keeping the batteries aboard the orbiting lab cool. Since they operate using highly toxic ammonia, the spacewalkers must take utmost care not to get any on their suits.

Known formally as pump flow control subassembly boxes, they are both considered spares, and will not interfere with cooling at the station while the work is under way.

"The purpose of the pump flow control subassembly is all about the cooling batteries that the space station holds its electrical power in," explained Anthony Vareha, a flight director at NASA.

"We need to keep the batteries cool just like in your cell phone." The outing by veteran spacewalkers Ricky Arnold, 54, and Drew Feustel, 52, officially began when the duo switched their bulky white spacesuits to internal power at 7:39 am (1139 GMT).

Related Topics

All