[FPSPACE] Meanwhile, in space...

[LARRY KLAES]

Sunita Williams Sets Women’s Spacewalking Record

February 5, 2007 by Fraser Cain

Astronaut Sunita Williams during the first EVA. Image credit: NASA

Astronauts Mike Lopez-Alegria and Sunita Williams spent another day in space 
on Sunday, continuing the process of switching over the International Space 
Station’s power and cooling systems.

Spacewalks are pretty important in themselves, but during the journey 
outside, Williams broke the record for the most time spent spacewalking by a 
woman.

The primary goal of the journey outside the International Space Station was 
to hook up the new permanent cooling system. Since a tiny amount of ammonia 
leaked out during the first spacewalk, NASA had the astronauts take extra 
precautions. It could be dangerous to the astronauts if it got into the 
station’s air system.

This latest spacewalk lasted more than 7 hours, and brought William’s total 
time to 22 hours and 27 minutes. This record should get broken again in a 
few days when Williams heads outside again for a third and final spacewalk 
within 9 days on February 8th.

http://www.universetoday.com/2007/02/05/sunita-williams-sets-womens-spacewalking-record/