Astronauts Wipe Off Grime on Final Walk

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 24, 2008 8:32 PM CST
Astronauts Wipe Off Grime on Final Walk
In this image from NASA TV, astronaut Stephen Bowen is seen during a space walk outside the International Space Station, Monday, Nov. 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/NASA TV)

Astronauts lubed a joint and wiped a solar panel clean today on the last spacewalk of the Endeavour mission, Space.com reports. The final repairs on the International Space Station took just over 6 hours but were cut short for astronaut Shane Kimbrough when carbon dioxide levels rose in his suit. Steve Bowen wrapped things up on the starboard-side job. "Finally!" he cried when the work was done.

Before the walk started, NASA extended the 15-day Endeavour mission by one day to continue repairs on a wobbly urine recycler. All 10 astronauts will now be together for Thanksgiving. The shuttle is scheduled to leave on Friday and land on Sunday at about 1 pm Eastern Time.
(More Endeavor stories.)

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