Spacewalking astronaut Scott Parazynski is stitching up the torn solar wing with wire strands fashioned from stuff scavenged from storage closets onboard the International Space Station.
Discovery pilot George Zamka and station commander Peggy Whitson crafted lengthy strands of insulated wire with tabs that toggle like the backing of cuff links.
The idea is to string the wire strands through existing, reinforced holes that are spaced evenly across the 15-foot width of the torn panel. The first strand, which is 66 3/8-inch long, now is in place.
"That was a beautiful thing to see that cuff link go into that hole," Discovery commander Pam Melroy said.
"Yes it was," Parazynski replied.
Next, Parazynski will try to sever the snarled hinge lines and guidewires before putting four more stitches in place.
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