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STS-116 Flight Day 5 highlight [Dec. 14th, 2006|02:27 am]
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Even though the main task for Flight Day 5 was not totally completed, the end result allowed ISS managers to accomplish what they wanted to do.

One of the main tasks was to retract the P6 ttruss segment solar array, a truss segment currently attached to the top (zenith) side of the ISS. The port-side solar array blankets of the P6 truss were the ones to be retracted. When all was said and done for the task, the P6 port-side solar arrays were only partially retracted. Retracting the array is a lot like folding up a map. Time after time, some of the array segments didn't properly fold up among their fold lines and got in a bind. After many attempts to try to get the array segments to fold up properly, it was decided to leave the array partially retracted instead of completely retracted.

The other major task was to activate the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) - a component that allows the port-side P4 truss segment solar arrays to rotate like a paddlewheel to follow the sun. The SARJ was not activated until today because of the obstacle caused by the port-side array of the P6 solar arrays. The P6 solar arrays were retracted just enough today to remove that obstacle. The SARJ was activated and the P4 solar arrays are properly rotating to follow the sun for maximum power generation.

Flight Day 6 is highlighted by the second spacewalk of the mission, a spacewalk to carry out some wiring to allow power generated by the P4 truss solar arrays to be utilized by the station. Two of the four channels will be wired during the second spacewalk and the other two channels will be wired during the third spacewalk on Flight Day 8.

A fourth spacewalk may occur during the STS-116 mission to finish retracting the P6 port-side solar arrays or the spacewalk may occur by the ISS crew later in the expedition. Mission managers will discuss the spacewalk possibilities and reach a decision in the next few days.
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