U.S. astronauts complete 100th space station spacewalk

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Two astronauts of Expedition 16aboard the International Space Station conducted on Tuesday the 100th spacewalk in support of station assembly and maintenance, focusing on inspections of two solar array joints.

Space Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Daniel Tani wrapped up the 6 hours and 56 minutes excursion at 11:46 a.m. EST (1646 GMT).

The spacewalkers inspected the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) and a Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA). Both hardware elements move the solar arrays to track the sun but are temporarily locked in place. The duo also removed a trundle bearing assembly, which moves along the race ring in the SARJ, and brought it inside the station for further examination.

Using observations from the spacewalkers, specialists on the ground seek to evaluate the problems affecting the SARJ and BGA, and determine how to return them to operational mode. Currently, the ISS continues to operate normally, said NASA space station program.

Peggy Whitson and Daniel Tani have now completed five spacewalks each. During Tuesday's spacewalk, Whitson, however, has surpassed previous station Flight Engineer Sunita Williams' record for cumulative spacewalking time by a woman.

Whitson's total time working outside the ISS is 32 hours and 36minutes.

In the meantime, preparations move forward as the Expedition 16crew awaits a Russian Progress cargo ship on Dec. 26 and U.S. space shuttle Atlantis in January.