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Astronauts successfully finish clean and lube job
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-25 11:05
NASA was hoping for a full four-hour test run Monday following Fincke's tinkering. On Sunday, the urine processor shut down after operating less than three hours; before, it never even made it that far. When informed more urine might be needed, Fincke said, "Well, we've got a very adequate supply of yesterday's coffee to help." Mission Control then joked: "We'll see if we need to add some Diet Coke to the plan." For the record, there is no Diet Coke, or any other soda, up there. The astronauts have managed to collect samples of the recycled water for return to Earth aboard Endeavour, relying mostly on converted condensation. NASA would prefer more urine in the mix; that's the way the system was designed. No one can drink the recycled water until tests show it's safe. Additional samples will be returned on the next space shuttle flight in February, to confirm everything is working properly. NASA's goal is to have six people living on the space station by June. The extra day in space for Endeavour now means that the two crews, eight men and two women, will celebrate Thanksgiving together and not part company until Friday. Endeavour's touchdown is now scheduled for Sunday. |
