Danger Will Robinson! Danger Will Robinson!
Another space shuttle mission is well underway with lots of work being done to the International Space Station. The Shuttle Endeavour arrived at the ISS on Sunday, and it’s scheduled to return to Earth later this month. The main objective of the trip is expanding the living quarters on the space station so it can accommodate a fourth astronaut in late 2009. However, a few other things have been taking place during this latest trip too. It’s not just about a Space Station Makeover.
At least two other big events have taken place during the mission;
- A Tim ‘The Toolman’ Look-Alike-Show
- Testing A New Filtration System
If It Doesn’t Say Binford…Someone Else Made It
By now most people have heard of the mis-adventures of Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper.
While doing some outside work on the ISS, Stefanyshyn-Piper lost control of her purse, or I mean tool belt, and now it’s floating around space. Apparently a grease gun malfunctioned and shot grease all over the place. As she was trying to clean the grease off her camera and gloves, she let go of the tool bag. Now it’s part of the universe, floating aimlessly in space. Apparently what’s been rumored for years, is true –
Part of the training program at NASA is the viewing of old Tim “The Toolman” Taylor Home Improvement episodes.
The floating tool belt is one of the biggest losses by an astronaut on a spacewalk and NASA is now assessing how it will affect any other planned work on the space station. There are three more planned spacewalks so the astronauts are of course taking inventory of what tools they have left. I guess there’s now Lowes nearby. Also, if you’re wondering, the price tag on the lost tools is estimated at $100 thousand dollars.
Testing A New Filtration System
Aside from losing tool belts, and expanding the living quarters on the space station, crew members from the Endeavour shuttle are also installing a new filtration system. But, I have a feeling this is not your normal everyday run of the mill Britta filtration system.
Today astronauts on the International Space Station test run the new filtration system which turns urine into water!
Ick! I’ve heard of turning water into wine, but this is going just a little bit too far. I’m also curious as to how they picked the volunteer to try this new system out? Did they draw straws? Will they do a blind taste test like they do with Coke and Pepsi? Who in their right mind would say — I want to be at the front of this line! — Okay, I understand the reasoning behind the whole process, but it just sounds so Ick!
As for me, if I ever have an opportunity to go into space, I’ll take along extra packages of what real astronauts drink…
If it was good enough for the Apollo astronauts…it’s good enough for me!
Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus
