Spacewalking astronauts encounter bolt trouble - Technology and science - Space - msnbc.com
EXCERPT | " ... Mike Fincke, one of NASA's most experienced spacemen, had to settle for a partial lube job, after the bolts holding down covers on the massive joint started popping off unexpectedly.
"Bummer," said his spacewalking partner, Andrew Feustel. ... (SOURCE)"
by Pat Darnell | May 26, 2011 | Bryan TX
This is an interesting tale for some. We never think about what it must be like to work on the International Space Station, ISS, in this way. The space walking astronaut lost a "bolt" ..."while trying to lubricate a joint in the life-sustaining solar power system of the International Space Station...(Dunn, Marcia. May 22, 2011. HERE)."
For instance, if I focus on the "bolt" now floating in space around the earth in micro-gravity, I could be tempted to exaggeration. You know the feeling, like this 'bolt missing leaves a gap, a fissure in the structure of the Solar Power System that eventually leads to the shut down of the whole program...' type exaggeration.
Let's move on. It is a bit humbling to think of the giant space construct ISS hovering in orbit has the same needs as a truck's stopover at Dixie Truckers' Home in McLean IL. They both need constant lubrication. A truck will continue for a long while without proper lube-ing, but it won't be pretty. No, that Mack will shudder and shake, and squeak its way down the highway.
It links us all to know the ISS needs a regular lube job.
We are all part of the great space walk. We can lube our vintage cars with a same vigor as a space walking astronaut. It also rings home that a 'buck fifty' part like a bolt can bring the whole mechanical dynamo down.
Follow LINKS to read entire article: "Spacewalkers cope with flying hardware during lube job: One bolt lost as astronauts grease up space station joint; coolant system topped off
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