Running almost an hour ahead of schedule, two spacewalkers are unbolting rail carts from the top of the International Space Station's central truss so they can be moved from the port to starboard side of the outpost's metallic backbone.
The work is required to clear the way for a U.S. electric power tower known as the P-6 truss to be moved later this year from a spot on top of the U.S. Unity module to the far left end of the station's central truss.
The relocation of the P-6 will complete the port side of the truss, equipping it with two sets of solar wings that will rotate like Ferris wheels, constantly tracking the sun to maximize electrical output.
The two hand carts run on rails on the top of the central truss, enabling construction tools and equipment to be moved between work sites along the length of it. The truss ultimately will include 11 segments that stretch 310 feet from end-to-end -- or about the length of an American football field.
The carts are designed to be manually operated by spacewalkers using handbrakes to stop and secure them at work site. Mastracchio and Anderson will be carrying them from the port to starboard side of the truss.
NOTE ON IMAGES: Click to enlarge and save the NASA TV screen grabs. The top image shows U.S. station flight engineer Clay Anderson (left) and Endeavour mission specialist Rick Mastracchio (right) working to unbolt rail carts from the P-1 truss at the International Space Station. The second shows Anderson, riding on the end of the station's arm, hauling the first of the two carts to a work spot on the S-1 truss segment on the starboard side of the truss. Endeavour pilot Charlie Hobaugh is operating the arm. The final image shows Anderson with the cart in hand, pitch black space as a backdrop.
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