Spacewalking astronauts plug in new cooling pump

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Spacewalking astronauts installed a new ammonia pump to the International Space Station on today, accomplishing the urgent cooling-system repairs after more than two weeks of impaired operations in orbit.

Making his third spacewalk in just 10 days, Douglas Wheelock slid the bathtub-size pump into place then bolted it down as Tracy Caldwell Dyson hooked up power cables.

An initial test proved successful. “Sweet,” Wheelock exclaimed.

The astronauts then connected all the ammonia fluid lines. To everyone’s relief, the work went smoothly, with no apparent leakage of the toxic substance. Back on the first spacewalk, ammonia streamed out and forced NASA to add an extra outing to get the job done.