LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- NASA astronaut Anil Menon and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sophie Adenot concluded a spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Tuesday, successfully installing and connecting a spare space-to-ground antenna.
During the 6.5-hour spacewalk, Menon and Adenot installed the antenna, a critical link that enables high-speed data transmission between NASA's Mission Control Center in U.S. Houston and the orbital complex, according to NASA.
They then secured the failed antenna, which had been removed and temporarily stowed during their Aug. 18 spacewalk, to a spare-parts platform on the station's truss structure.
Initial checkouts of the newly installed antenna showed good power and data transmission, NASA said. Flight controllers on the ground will continue testing the antenna overnight to ensure its full functionality.
The spacewalk was Menon's third and Adenot's second. It was also the 283rd spacewalk in support of space station assembly, maintenance and upgrades. ■
