Repairs are completed on the International Space Station - Maxisciences

Following an ammonia leak spotted Thursday, two astronauts on the ISS had to replace an outlet for a pump. The mission lasted five hours and a half and is now a success. It will monitor against by the station for months if new leaks appear.

Mission accomplished! The two astronauts Tom Marshburn and Chris Cassidy successfully repaired the ammonia leak discovered Thursday on the International Space Station (ISS). It took them five and a half hours to replace a faulty pump and perform the usual checks, although it is still possible that the problem reappears later.

ISS, ammonia is used to cool electrical circuits powered by solar panels. If NASA said the six passengers on the ISS were never in danger of death, he still had to schedule a spacewalk emergency.

Tom Marshburn and Chris Cassidy had both the bottle and over 18 hours of spacewalks to their credit. They first took three hours to install the new pump before operating an hour later. They then stayed half an hour off until you are sure that ammonia does not start to leak again. Finally, the astronauts took a “sunbathing”, so that the rays burn all traces of ammonia on their combination.

As after a battle

NASA had posted a live video to allow the whole world to assist in operations and also extensively commented the event on Twitter. Joel Montalbano, Flight Director of ISS announced “it will take weeks, four or five, maybe more, before being 100% sure of the diagnosis. Weeks or months it is too early to say. But it will take time. “

“Wearing their suits that weigh more than 100 kilograms , told the AFP Vladimir Solovyov, flight director of the Russian segment of the ISS ‘em > astronauts move on their arms. After each trip, as they go after a good battle with arms covered with bruises and blisters on his shoulders. “

Three occupants of the ISS are expected Tuesday on Earth: Roman Romanenko, Tom Marshburn and Chris Hadfield who must leave the ISS on the night of Monday to Tuesday

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