US: Astronauts float out on first Hubble spacewalk
15 May 2009 12:25 AM
Two astronauts from the US space shuttle Atlantis have stepped out on the first of five ambitious spacewalks .. to overhaul the Hubble space telescope and extend its working life.
The spacewalk got under way just before 11 o'clock (AEST) last night .. and is scheduled to last for six to seven hours.
The spacewalks follow after the seven-strong Atlantis crew on Wednesday plucked Hubble from orbit .. manoeuvring it into the shuttle's cargo bay for a long overdue maintenance.
Officials believe the overhaul will extend Hubble's operations by at least five years .. long enough to finish the development and launch a more powerful successor .. the James Webb Space Telescope.
AAP RTV ldj/psm/
