Astronauts gear up for second spacewalk

[March 21, 2009]  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- It's another day for spacewalking in orbit.

On Saturday afternoon, astronauts Steven Swanson and Joseph Acaba are scheduled to float out of the linked space station and shuttle to do some chores that will ease the burden for future spacewalkers.

Their battery work will take them to the far left end of the international space station's framework, or backbone. Thursday's spacewalk, to install one last set of solar wings, took place on the opposite side.

There could be some induced electrical voltage out that far, but NASA officials say the risk is small and well within acceptable limits. Nevertheless, the metal wrist rings on the men's spacesuits have been covered with insulating tape. They also will keep checking their cuffs to make sure they're down and fastened.

[Associated Press]

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