The spacewalk to install the European laboratory, Columbus, began today, 24 hours after originally scheduled.
As we reported earlier, German astronaut, Hans Schlegel, who was supposed to carry out the spacewalk Sunday fell ill. While NASA refused to elaborate on his illness, they did say it was not life-threatening and would not endanger the mission in any way. Astronauts Rex Walheim and Stan Love began the installation today. The second part of the mission will be handled Wednesday. Schlegel is expected to take part in that spacewalk.
Once the $2 billion lab is in place, an extensive research program will be undertaken. The research is to determine the physiological effects of weightlessness on humans.
©C Harris Lynn, 2008
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