SEE ALSO – More space station woes
The International Space Station is facing a power crisis after problems were found with a key solar panel component. Metal shavings were found in a joint that allows some of the station’s massive panels to rotate and face the sun. “It’s quite clear. There’s metal-to-metal scraping, or something, and it’s widespread,” said Daniel Tani, who investigated the joint on a space walk (various sources).
To alleviate possible damage to the joint NASA has cut the number of times it is allowing the joint to rotate (Reuters, NY Times, Houston Chronicle). The problem is this also cuts the amount of power the panels generate. Another set of panels is in place and a third set is being moved into position by astronauts currently aboard ISS (AP). A fourth set of panels is due to be in place by late 2008 / early 2009. However, unless the problems with the joint can be sorted there may not be enough juice generated to properly power laboratories due to be put in place later this year.
In December the European Columbus laboratory is scheduled. Japan has its Kibo laboratory pencilled in for launch early next year. Both could face delays. “You couldn’t add another element [in the current situation]. We’d be way under-powered,” said NASA station program manager Mike Suffredini (Florida Today).
There is a neat interactive graphic showing the evolution of the station doing the rounds on a number of US papers.
UPDATE – 30/10/07
NASA has extended the current shuttle mission to the ISS to allow astronauts more time to inspect the damaged joint. The move will shorten the launch window for the next shuttle mission (Reuters).
However ISS program manager Mike Suffredini told reporters that the panel problems will not impact the delivery of the Columbus laboratory later this year (AFP). Early reports that there might not be enough power to run Columbus may have been premature. According to Space.com, “The disabled component now limits the space station’s power-gathering abilities, but Suffredini said there should be no issues in having enough power to attach the Columbus module in December.”
This is lucky because the European Space Agency’s TV service proudly announced today: “Columbus is ready for launch … excitement is building for the launch of ESA’s Space Laboratory Columbus. Europe is poised for the start of the most intense period of human spaceflight since Spacelab.”
Image: ISS in June this year / NASA