Lost Tool Bag Forces Changes To Planned Spacewalks

HOUSTON (AP) – Flight controllers are revamping plans today for the remaining spacewalks planned during space shuttle Endeavour’s visit to the international space station. Native El Pasoan Ginger Kerrick is flight director for the mission.

That’s after a crucial tool bag floated out to space during a repair trip.

A spacewalking astronaut accidentally let go of her tool bag yesterday after a grease gun inside it exploded. She helplessly watched as the tote and everything inside floated away.

Inside the space station, crew members are so ahead of schedule in moving equipment delivered by Endeavour that shuttle flight planners are contemplating skipping an extra day at the outpost orbiting 220 miles above Earth.

The equipment includes a recycling system that converts urine into water.

The water recycling system was to be hooked up late today, and the first batch of urine would run through the system later in the week.

Samples will be flown back to Earth for safety tests before astronauts can use it.

On the Net:

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)