Spacewalking astronauts hook up plumbing for new station room, get hit with frozen ammonia

Spacewalking astronauts turn plumbers, hook hoses

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Astronauts have wrapped up another successful spacewalk at the International Space Station.

Robert Behnken and Nicholas Patrick turned into plumbers Saturday night, routing hoses to carry ammonia coolant to the space station’s newest room, Tranquility. By early Sunday, ammonia was flowing through the lines and Tranquility was coming alive with power.

The only snag was an ammonia leak. Patrick was sprayed with frozen ammonia, but there was no evidence of any residue on his visor or right glove, where it hit.

NASA ended the spacewalk after six hours, a half-hour early because of the mishap. One more spacewalk is planned for shuttle Endeavour’s visiting crew to finish work on Tranquility and its attached observation deck.