CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Astronauts are taking the first spacewalk of their shuttle mission.
Atlantis crewmen Michael Foreman and Dr. Robert Satcher Jr. floated outside Thursday morning to hook up a spare antenna and cables on the International Space Station. They also will tackle some other chores during their six-hour outing.
It is the first spacewalk for Satcher. He became the first orthopedic surgeon in space when Atlantis blasted off earlier this week.
Three spacewalks are planned during the shuttle’s weeklong visit.
The astronauts have already unloaded several tons of pumps, tanks and other big spare parts. All the gear should keep the space station operating well past next year’s shuttle retirement next fall.
