Spacewalking astronauts check site of summer leak

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Spacewalking astronauts check site of summer leak

2018-12-12 04:38 Last Updated At：13:44

Spacewalking astronauts sliced through thick insulation on a capsule docked to the International Space Station on Tuesday, looking for clues to a mysterious drilled hole that leaked precious cabin air four months ago.

The space station's crew patched the tiny hole in the Soyuz capsule last August, using epoxy and gauze. Russian space officials wanted the site surveyed from the outside, before the capsule's return to Earth next week with Russian Sergei Prokopyev and two others.

That section of the capsule will be jettisoned as usual before re-entry, and so poses no risk for descent.

Prokopyev and Russian Oleg Kononenko had to use a pair of telescoping booms to reach the Soyuz. It took nearly four hours for them to cross the approximately 100 feet (30 meters) to get to the capsule.

"Oleg, smile," one of the astronauts called from inside, snapping his picture. Russian Mission Control outside Moscow urged the men to take their time, even though they were running behind.

The spacewalkers' job was to collect samples of any epoxy sealant that may have protruded from the hole. To expose the external hull, Kononenko needed to cut away a 10-inch (25-centimeter) swatch of thermal insulation and debris shield, a slow and difficult task.

Bits of silver insulating material floated away, as Kononenko slashed at it with a knife.

The leak caused a flap between the U.S. and Russian space agencies, following its discovery at the end of August. Russian space chief Dmitry Rogozin observed that the hole could have been drilled during manufacturing — or in orbit. The space station's commander at the time flatly denied any wrongdoing by himself or his crew.

Rogozin has since backpedaled his statement, blaming the news media for twisting his words.

A Russian investigation is ongoing, according to Rogozin, and samples collected during the spacewalk will be returned to Earth on the Soyuz. The spacewalk findings could lead to better repair techniques in the future, officials said.

The Soyuz is scheduled to depart the orbiting lab on Dec. 19, U.S. time, with Prokopyev, American Serena Aunon-Chancellor and German Alexander Gerst, the station's current skipper. It ferried them up in June.

The section of the Soyuz with the hole will be jettisoned as usual before re-entry, and so poses no risk for descent.

Remaining aboard the 250-mile-high (400-kilometer-high) outpost for the next six months will be an American, Russian and Canadian who arrived last week.

The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Falcons place too much pressure on Penix by failing to rely on Robinson in runaway loss at Carolina

ATLANTA (AP) — Raheem Morris usually offers generous doses of words and smiles in his sessions with reporters.

The second-year Atlanta Falcons coach was not in a smiling mode following Sunday’s 30-0 loss at Carolina. He offered only one word — a terse “No” — when asked if he was opening the quarterback position for competition this week.

Morris may not have liked the question, which became relevant after Michael Penix Jr. was removed from the game in the fourth quarter and replaced by former starter Kirk Cousins. The coach definitely did not like the two interceptions thrown by Penix, including one returned for a touchdown, which contributed to the blowout loss.

Morris said Penix, the 2024 first-round pick in his first full season as Atlanta’s starter, didn’t deserve full blame for the Falcons’ loss.

“We did not play well on any phase and he did not play well as well," Morris said. "We didn’t play well around him and we've got to play better across the board.”

Morris took action on Monday by firing wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard. Passing game coordinator T.J. Yates will now coach the receivers.

The staff changes came after Morris, when asked about the slow start by wide receiver Darnell Mooney, said: “We’ve got to get to the point that we’ve got to go out there and play the right way. But, no, he’s not playing, we’re not playing the brand of football we need to play with Mooney, and we’re capable of so much more, without a doubt.”

The Falcons (1-2) should rely on their strength, the running game led by Bijan Robinson. Three turnovers forced the offense to lose its balance and rely on Penix to navigate a play-from-behind plan, which is not suited to his short passing game.

For the second time in three weeks, the Falcons lost when too much of the offensive burden was placed on Penix. The loss left Atlanta 0-2 in the NFC South while providing another reminder the passing game should be a complement to Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.

Penix completed 18 of 36 passes for 172 yards with the two interceptions. The Falcons trailed 27-0 when Cousins entered the game.

Morris said his decision to take Penix out was tied to him also bringing in backups at running back and wide receiver.

“The game is out of hand,” Morris said. “They got us.”

Added Morris: “I don’t worry about Mike’s confidence."

Robinson had 13 carries for 72 yards and five receptions for 39 yards. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry.

The game flow prevented Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson from carving a path for Bijan Robinson to match his 22 carries for 143 yards in Atlanta’s 22-6 win at Minnesota on Sept. 14.

Bijan Robinson had 12 and 13 carries in Atlanta’s two losses. The obvious challenge is to find a way to utilize Robinson as the clear strength of Atlanta’s offense despite defenses gearing their game plans to stop the run and make the Falcons win with Penix.

The Falcons must not rely on defensive schemes to set the pace for how they run their offense. Instead of the standard “take what they give us” philosophy, the Falcons should force defenses to take what they give them.

Robinson is the strength of the Falcons' offense. If they can’t rely on that strength, their chances of success are diminished. If Robinson is to held to fewer than 15 carries, it seems more likely the Falcons’ run of seven straight losing seasons will be extended.

The Falcons were shut out for the first time since a 25-0 loss to the New England Patriots on Nov. 18, 2021.

Penix was plagued by a lack of accuracy and an admitted inability to recognize tight coverages. On his pick-6, Penix looked right, then back left, and had ample time to identify Carolina’s Chau Smith-Wade but still forced an ill-advised sidearm throw intended for Robinson. Smith-Wade’s 11-yard interception return gave the Panthers a 17-0 lead.

“I didn’t see him,” Penix said of Smith-Wade. “Good play.”

Linebacker Kaden Ellis tied for the team lead with nine tackles and had the team’s only sack. Ellis also had three tackles for loss in one of the few bright spots for a defense too often placed in bad situations by three turnovers.

After former kicker Younghoe Koo was released on Friday, Parker Romo failed to solidify his hold on his starting job. Romo, who made each of his five field-goal attempts in last week’s win over the Vikings, was 0-for-2 against Carolina. Romo was wide left from 55 yards and wide right from 49 yards.

Romo’s new job may be in jeopardy.

“We can’t have those moments,” said Morris.

The Falcons reported no injuries.

Robinson is the first Atlanta running back to have at least 100 yards from scrimmage in the first three games of a season since William Andrews in 1983.

The Falcons host Washington on Sunday.

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