Astronauts Breeze Through 2nd Spacewalk

(CBS/AP)  Last Updated 5:25 p.m. ET

Astronauts Michael Foreman and Randolph Bresnik began repressurizing the International Space Station's Quest airlock module at 3:39 p.m. EST to close out a successful six-hour and eight-minute spacewalk.

Running well ahead of schedule, Foreman and Bresnik completed all of their planned work with no major problems, reports CBS News space analyst Bill Harwood, and had enough time to complete a variety of get-ahead tasks, including deployment of a final payload attachment mechanism that had been planned for the crew's final spacewalk Monday.

They even found time to enjoy the view from 220 miles up.

"OK, guys, we're coming over Houston in the next 10 seconds," spacewalk coordinator Bobby Satcher radioed from inside Atlantis.

"I can see my house from here," Foreman joked.

"I think I see mine, too," Bresnik said.

"Hello Houston!" Foreman exclaimed.

"That's pretty cool," Bresnik agreed.

The astronauts installed an antenna assembly on the station's Columbus lab module, relocated a device that measures the electrical environment around the lab complex, deployed one of two remaining payload attachment mechanisms and installed an external television camera to complete the planned objectives of the spacewalk.

At that point, Foreman and Bresnik were running about two hours ahead of schedule.

"They're really kicking butt on the timeline," shuttle commander Charles Hobaugh told mission control.

After returning to the Quest airlock to recharge their oxygen supplies, Foreman and Bresnik deployed the final payload attach mechanism, inspected suspect wiring for a newly-installed antenna system and repositioned a tool stanchion and a foot restraint.

This is the second of three spacewalks planned by the shuttle Atlantis' crew. Foreman is making his fifth spacewalk while Bresnik is making his first.

Bresnik is still awaiting word on the birth of his daughter. His wife, Rebecca, was due to give birth Friday. NASA officials say if the baby were born during Saturday's spacewalk, they would wait to pass along the news. They wanted Bresnik focused on his job.

One more spacewalk is planned on Monday. The shuttle will remain at the station until the day before Thanksgiving. Landing would be the day after.

For more info:
CBS News space analyst Bill Harwood's "Space Place" updates
Space Shuttle Main Page (NASA)
International Space Station Main Page (NASA)

[Joutue]

joutue november 21,2009 2:54 PM

Nasa is the worst thing that's polluting the united states every time they lift off. And wasting Billions of dollars that could be used to help create new jobs, and put factories and plants back into operation
for americans to work at.

[rwsmith29456]

Um, the spaces program provides plenty of jobs. They are also jobs where people can work to their training level rather than shoving french fries. It would take a lot more than billions of dollars to put factories back to work. What's the use of reopening a factory without changing the business model for world competition? Starting a factory doesn't mean it can sell products unless you can lower the price to the level where you pay your workers three dollars a week. I'd rather have a space program and help the US by not depending on cheap trash.