Two US astronauts complete spacewalk to upgrade ISS

By Agence France-Presse Two American astronauts ventured outside the International Space Station on Friday to upgrade the orbiting outpost’s electrical system. NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Peggy Whitson work retrieve adapter plates outside the International Space Station during a Jan. 6, 2017 spacewalk to upgrade the orbiting laboratory’s power system.

Spacewalking astronauts tackle battery work outside station

Before venturing out, Commander Shane Kimbrough and Peggy Whitson got a hand from a robot that took care of most of the grunt work. Remotely using robotics aboard the 250-mile-high lab, flight controllers in Houston spent the past week replacing decade-old, nickel-hydrogen batteries with better charging lithium-ion ones.

Scientists develop ‘Wolverine’-inspired material that heals itself

The material, which was inspired in part by the regenerative ability of the comic book antihero Wolverine, could someday be used to improve the lifespan of electronic devices or develop self-repairing robots. In a study published December in the journal Advanced Material, an international team of scientists described the first synthetic ionic conductor – a transparent, self-healing, highly stretchable material that allows ions to flow through it.

Spacewalking astronauts upgrade station with new batteries

NASA reported that all three lithium-ion batteries were up and running, a successful start to the space agency’s long-term effort to upgrade the aging solar power system. Before venturing out, Commander Shane Kimbrough and Peggy Whitson got a hand from a robot that took care of most of the grunt work – Dextre, a hulking machine with 11-foot arms.