APOD: A Busy Space Walk at the Space Station (2011 Jul 18)

[APOD Robot]

A Busy Space Walk at the Space Station

Explanation: What's that astronaut doing? Unloading a space shuttle -- for the last time. After the space shuttle Atlantis docked with the International Space Station (ISS) last week, station astronaut Mike Fossum underwent a long spacewalk that included carrying a Robotics Refueling Mission (RRM) payload from Atlantis' cargo bay to a platform used by the space station's famous robot DEXTRE. On Earth, the RRM box would have the weight of about three people and be much more difficult to carry. Pictured above on the far left, DEXTRE prepares to help move a failed space pump back to Atlantis. Visible behind the astronaut is the space station's Kibo Experimental Module. The much awaited final shuttle return flight is currently scheduled for 5:56 am EDT Thursday, July 21.

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[Joe Horton]

I see 5. Y'all see more? No spoiler yet--two are sorta subtle.

[Beyond]

I found 5 also. Zooming up to 400% didn't help any. DRAT!!

[Dr Jimy]

I seee 4 Canadian and 1 Japanesse

[Wayne]

I also see 4x Canadian and 1x Japanese. I was expecting something like 1,322 American and possibly half a Canadian if the Americans haven't covered it up with their own. Those people like flags. A lot.

[alter-ego]

I also see 4x Canadian and 1x Japanese. I was expecting something like 1,322 American and possibly half a Canadian if the Americans haven't covered it up with their own. Those people like flags. A lot.

I believe all countries are appropriately represented, but I don't have a flag tally for you. To be fair, I don't think Americans are the only people who really like flags (if you were stating that).

[Talorc]

I count three countries - Canada (4 flags), USA (1 flag), Japan (1 flag).

[Sudhamshu]

I too have found flags of the 2 countries mentioned earlier. In fact, the Canada splayed across the picture was possibly the first thing that grabbed my attention. The blue reflection at the back was also quite interesting.

[Boomer12k]

Looks like he left the refrigerator door open.

[elizabeth.sasse246@btinternet.com]

I can only spot 4 I wonder where the one is that i missed?

[wadoNeil]

Hi. Just a note to point out the typo, in case the editors care about such tiny details ... missing "ISS" before "Mike Fossum". HTH. Now, let's get counting flags ...

[EKaper]

Actually I can't spot the flag on the astronaut, which should be there somewhere.

I wonder if that's another Japanese flag on the module to the left: the dark circle on the white rectangle?

[William]

I also see five 4 Canada Japan

[owlice]

Hi. Just a note to point out the typo, in case the editors care about such tiny details ... missing "ISS" before "Mike Fossum". HTH. Now, let's get counting flags ...

They do care; I've emailed them. Thanks!

[Dan]

I think there are 6 flags. 4 Canadian, 1 Japanese and you can just make out the edge of an American flag on the space suit.

[nstahl]

I'll leave the flag counting to y'all while I ponder a "failed space pump". I wonder if the pump was intended to move space into the ISS or out of it or between parts of it. Then of course there's apparently a new technology involved, but does it, when moving space around, also move any accompanying dark matter or quintessence?

[biddie67]

Good Morning, All. I found 4 Canadian flags and 1 Japanese flag - I was expecting to find one on the astronaut's suit but couldn't find one ....

nstahl :: a "space pump" does make you wonder ((grin))

[neufer]

I'll leave the flag counting to y'all while I ponder a "failed space pump". I wonder if the pump was intended to move space into the ISS or out of it or between parts of it. Then of course there's apparently a new technology involved, but does it, when moving space around, also move any accompanying dark matter or quintessence?

I couldn't locate any Outer Space Pumps... however:

http://www.amazon.com/Kenneth-Cole-REAC ... B00188M5RE

[nstahl]

Art, . Your pump looks a lot lighter than theirs and I'm guessing what it attaches to is more attractive.

[wbd]

After the mention of a USA flag (be it on the spacesuit or elsewhere) I went back and had another look... but couldn't find anything.
So I'll stick by my original count: 4x Canadian flags and 1x Japanese flag.

Cheers!

[neufer]

Art, . Your pump looks a lot lighter than theirs and I'm guessing what it attaches to is more attractive.

Negative on both counts if I am wearing it with my size 15½ feet. (A busy space walk indeed!)

[owlice]

And here I was lamenting that it didn't come in a 10.5; oh, Art, your poor feet!

[Freeland]

I count 6 flags, 4 Canadian, 1 Japanese and 1 US flag. Not very much of the US flag shows, it is on the left shoulder of the astronaut. You can see more clearly where it should be in this picture:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:STS-1 ... n_EVA2.jpg

Howard

[Yesindeed]

I'll leave the flag counting to y'all while I ponder a "failed space pump". I wonder if the pump was intended to move space into the ISS or out of it or between parts of it. Then of course there's apparently a new technology involved, but does it, when moving space around, also move any accompanying dark matter or quintessence?

I had the same thought when reading this. It's a pretty useless phrase "space pump" and tells you nothing at all about the thing.

Still, it did give me a chuckle

[orin stepanek]

Wow! It must be flag day!