Columbus rising from the payload bay.
Melvin (above) grapples Columbus with station robot arm.
With the balky power data grapple fixture installed, the Columbus module became ready for grappling with the space station robot arm, operated by Leland Melvin, a former NFL wide receiver.
"Go get it, Leland," said one of the astronauts whose voice could not be identified.
Melvin grappled the module about 2:40 p.m. EST. Later today the Columbus module will be moved by the station robot arm to its berth on the space station, where it will be attached with motorized bolts. The laboratory will be opened Tuesday.
The module will shortly be released from the payload bay.
After overcoming confusion with connectors, spacewalkers Rex Walheim and Stan Love replaced shields protecting the Columbus module, finishing work on the European laboratory.
The spacewalk was more than an hour behind schedule, but both spacesuits are operating well and the ground crew will watch the need to resupply oxygen.
The 102nd spacewalk to build the ISS began at 9:13 a.m. EST and will last 7.5 hours.
Walheim wears a spacesuit with solid red bands. His helmet camera is No. 16. Love's suit has broken red stripes. His helmet camera is No. 18.
Next, the spacewalkers will prepare a nitrogen tank for installation on the ISS during Wednesday's spacewalk.
Click for STS-122 fact sheet.
Click here for the flight day 5 execute package.
Click here for the NASA-TV schedule, which details mission events.
Spacewalkers: Walheim (left) and Love
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