Spacewalk Under Way After Delay

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (AP) – Two astronauts have made their way outside space shuttle Atlantis to perform the first spacewalk of this mission at the international space station.

The spacewalk was delayed after four spinning gyroscopes that keep the space station properly positioned became overloaded. During the spacewalk, the astronauts intend to connect a 35,000-pound segment to the space station and remove bolts and restraints holding a solar array in place on the segment.

The array will add about 14 kilowatts of power-generating capability to the station. NASA engineers also need to evaluate whether a peeled-back thermal blanket on Atlantis should be fixed before the shuttle returns home.

The loosened blanket was discovered during an inspection Saturday. A decision on the blanket will likely be made in the next day or two.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-06-11-07 1653EDT