Second Spacewalk In 2 Weeks At Int'l Space Station

CAPE CANAVERAL (CBSMiami/AP) — For the second week in a row, astronauts are spacewalking at the International Space Station.

On Wednesday, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Butch Wilmore ventured out to replace a failed electrical device. The repair should restore full power capability to the 260-mile-high outpost.

The spacewalk is expected to last about six and a half hours.

The voltage regulator shorted out in May but could not be replaced until now because of a yearlong hiatus in non-emergency spacewalks by NASA. The stoppage was caused by spacesuit problems, most notably a flooded helmet that nearly cost an astronaut's life in 2013.

Wiseman took part in the Oct. 7 spacewalk that jump-started NASA's outside maintenance. He was accompanied by a German. This time, Wiseman was joined by Wilmore, who is making his first spacewalk.

Next Wednesday, two of the Russian crew will step outside.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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