Russian astronauts begin first spacewalk in 2011
By IANSFriday, January 21, 2011
Moscow, Jan 22 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Two Russian astronauts Friday began their first spacewalk of the year to install new high-speed data transmission system outside the Russian Pirs compartment at the International Space Station (ISS).
Dmitry Kondratyev, 41, and Oleg Skripochka, 41, will spend six hours in space as part of the 27th Russian space station spacewalk, the Russian mission control centre said. It will be the first time in open space for Kondratyev and the second time for Skripochka.
The astronauts arrived at the ISS Dec 17 as part of the international Expedition 26 led by American Scott J. Kelly. They are to install new high-speed data transmission system and a protection hood.
Kondratyev and Skripochka are attired in new Russian Orlan-MK spacesuits equipped with a digital computer. Kondratyev earlier said in his blog that the crew had tested the spacesuits onboard to make sure they were hermetically sealed under high pressure.
In emergency situations, a digital screen on the spacesuit shows what action needs to be taken.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
