Deployment of a first solar array wing to its full length has begun after the first half appeared to unfold with no problem. "It Looks like we estimate roughly 15½ bays with a good deploy at this point," shuttle Discovery commander Lee Archambault told mission controllers in Houston.
"Great news," came the response to the astronauts on board the International Space Station.
"The only thing that we can report is obviously we've got numerous panels which are doubled over, but that's still not out of family, so we think we're in good shape," said Archambault.
"We concur with all," a flight communicator said.
The crew is deploying the first of the last two solar arrays needed to fully power the space station.
They paused at the halfway point to let the pleated arrays heat up in the sun, which reduces the chance of folds sticking together.
The pause also allows the crew to verify that the unfolding array is aligned properly and that tension wires holding the array in place are working well. The double folds Archambault referred to have been seen in prior array deployments and aren't considered a problem.
IMAGES: Click to enlarge the NASA TV images captured during shuttle Discovery's deployment of the first solar array wing today on the International Space Station. Above, the wing is unfurled halfway. Below, the crew at work in the station.
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