Astronauts get set for 1st spacewalk of mission

2009-11-19 08:23:45 GMT2009-11-19 16:23:45 (Beijing Time) SINA.com

This image provided by NASA TV shows the Space Shuttle Atlantis with the shadow of the International Space station passing over it's cargo bay as the two pass over South America Wednesday Nov. 18, 2009. Atlantis arrived at the International Space Station on Wednesday for a weeklong stay, and the astronauts quickly unloaded a huge platform full of spare parts needed to keep the outpost running for another decade. AP photo/NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis' astronauts are about to step out on the first spacewalk of their mission.

Michael Foreman and Dr. Robert Satcher Jr. will float outside Thursday morning to hook up a spare antenna and cables on the International Space Station. They also will tackle some other chores.

It will be the first spacewalk for Satcher. He became the first orthopedic surgeon in space, with Atlantis' liftoff earlier this week.

Three spacewalks are planned during the shuttle's weeklong visit, which began with a smooth docking Wednesday.

Already, the astronauts have unloaded several tons of pumps, tanks and other big spare parts. All this gear should keep the space station operating well past next year's shuttle retirement.

(Agencies)

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