ESA title
Science & Exploration

Tim Peake set for spacewalk

05/01/2016 21369 views 168 likes
ESA / Science & Exploration / Human and Robotic Exploration / Principia

ESA astronaut Tim Peake and NASA astronaut Tim Kopra will exit the International Space Station next week to repair a power unit on the outside.

The two Tims arrived at the Space Station on 15 December but this will be their second involvement in a spacewalk: Tim Peake assisted Tim Kopra and Station commander Scott Kelly when they moved an equipment carrier on 21 December.

Tim Peake
Tim Peake

The new spacewalk will last around six hours on 15 January, with Tim Kopra and Tim Peake working closely together to replace a faulty unit.

The ESA astronaut explains: “Our primary task will be to replace a failed Solar Shunt Unit, which transfers electrical power generated by the solar panels.”

The unit is relatively easy to replace because it is a simple box that can be removed by undoing one bolt. Once done, the spacewalkers will lay cables in advance of new docking ports and reinstall a valve that was removed for the relocation of the Leonardo module last year.

Preparing for spacewalk
Preparing for spacewalk

Inside the Station, Scott Kelly will help the spacewalkers into and out of their suits – a major operation in itself.

Before the astronauts leave they will breathe pure oxygen for two hours to purge their bodies of nitrogen. The spacesuit pressure is lower than in the Space Station and the drop could give them the ‘bends’, much like scuba divers rising too quickly to the sea surface.

Donning their spacesuits and safety equipment will take hours before they enter the airlock to reduce the pressure until it is safe to open the exterior hatch.

Tim Peake comments, “I am thrilled at this opportunity for a spacewalk. Right now we are focusing on preparing the tools, equipment and procedures.

Quest airlock
Quest airlock

“Maintaining the International Space Station from the outside requires intense operations - not just from the crew, but also from our ground support teams who are striving to make this spacewalk as safe and efficient as possible.”

The Station has eight shunt units to regulate power but has been operating with only seven since last November.

Tim concludes, “If the spacewalk is successful, this will restore the International Space Station to 100% of its operational capability.”

More information and live updates can be found on Tim Peake’s Principia blog.

Related Articles

Muscle research in space
Science & Exploration

New landing date for ESA astronaut Tim Peake

29/04/2016 72253 views 286 likes
Read
Bridget the rover
Science & Exploration

Tim Peake goes roving

27/04/2016 9227 views 76 likes
Read
Spacecraft berthed with Station
Science & Exploration

Busy spacecraft and experiment schedule on Space Station

08/04/2016 7773 views 87 likes
Read
Science & Exploration

Tim and Tim safely back in Space Station after spacewalk

15/01/2016 10847 views 136 likes
Read
Yuri and Sergei before spacewalk
Science & Exploration

Russian spacewalk marks end of ESA’s exposed space chemistry

03/02/2016 9401 views 120 likes
Read
A pretty good impression
Science & Exploration

Test your astronaut skills and help ESA

14/01/2016 51550 views 189 likes
Read
December spacewalk
Science & Exploration

Tim Peake set for spacewalk

05/01/2016 21369 views 168 likes
Read
Tim arrives at Space Station
Science & Exploration

ESA astronaut Tim Peake begins six-month stay on Space Stat…

15/12/2015 29222 views 128 likes
Read
Science & Exploration

Principia live

87257 views 314 likes
Read
Tim, Yuri and Tim
Science & Exploration

Can’t stop me now: Tim set for Principia launch

10/12/2015 8070 views 57 likes
Read
Tim arrives in Baikonur
Science & Exploration

Tim arrives in Baikonur on his last stop before space

30/11/2015 5952 views 38 likes
Read
Tim Peake
Agency

Tim Peake challenges UK students to 'make that call'

23/03/2015 3605 views 10 likes
Read
Agency

Send your computer code into space with Tim Peake

10/12/2014 2274 views 6 likes
Read
Science & Exploration

Tim Peake’s Principia mission logo

27/11/2014 15640 views 51 likes
Read
Tim Peake at EAC
Science & Exploration

Tim Peake to run London marathon from space

04/12/2015 12783 views 77 likes
Read

Related Links