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(KSL News) Two astronauts made their way outside space shuttle Atlantis to perform the first spacewalk of this mission.
During the spacewalk, the astronauts intend to connect a 35,000-pound segment to the International Space Station and remove bolts and restraints holding a solar array in place on the segment. The array will add about 14 kilowatts of power-generating capability to the station.
NASA engineers also need to evaluate whether a peeled-back thermal blanket on Atlantis should be fixed before the shuttle returns home. The loosened blanket was discovered during an inspection Saturday. Teams will make a decision on the blanket in the next day or two.
You may be able to see the shuttle as it flies over Utah! Patrick Wiggins, NASA's ambassador to Utah, has deciphered that Atlantis will be overhead of northern Utah on Sunday, June 17, at 10:56 p.m. and Monday, June 18, at 11:15 p.m. For southern Utah, there's only one pretty good chance of seeing the shuttle,, and that will be on Monday, June 18 at 11:16 p.m. All of these times are plus or minus two minutes.
