September 12, 2006

And I complain about when I drop something under the car...

Astronauts lose bolt during spacewalk

By MIKE SCHNEIDER
The Associated Press

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Spacewalking astronauts worried they have may have gummed up a successful job connecting an addition to the international space station Tuesday when a bolt, spring and washer floated free.

Astronaut Joe Tanner was working with the bolt when it sprang loose, floated over the head of Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and skittered across the 17 1/2-ton box-like truss that they were hooking up.

While the washer went out into space safely, Tanner worried the bolt and spring could get into the truss's wiring and tubing and causing problems. [...]

At least with my stuff, I can pretty much figure it's gonna fall DOWN.

Posted by Terry Oglesby at September 12, 2006 11:06 AM
Comments

When I was a boy, I had an uncle who operated a garage. It wasn't the neatest sort of place (which isn't exceptional in and of itself) and he had a pile of nuts, bolts and sundry washers and such in one corner of the shop.

I remember asking him once if those were the bits he couldn't get to fit from his previous jobs.

He wasn't impressed.

Posted by: Southtrek at September 12, 2006 02:52 PM

That is one unfortunate run to the hardware store for new parts!

Posted by: Nate at September 12, 2006 03:32 PM

Heh--Southtrek you should have asked him if he would mind if you build yourself a car out of all those spare parts! Then again, that might have been pressing your luck a bit too much...

And Nate, I think you might have hit on an idea--a Home Depot in space!

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at September 12, 2006 03:36 PM

You want the astronauts to be ignored by people in orange aprons? Or to be told the employees have no idea where the things they need are?

Posted by: skinnydan at September 12, 2006 08:16 PM

...and did the astronauts sit in any caustic liquids?

Posted by: steevil (Dr Weevil's bro Steve) at September 12, 2006 08:33 PM

Hmm--maybe you're right, Skinnydan--a mom-and-pop operation might be better. Then again, if the astronauts come in, they might be forced to sit for an hour and drink bitter coffee and hear about Ned's bunions or Francine's female trouble.

And no, Steevil--by now you should know that space work is very safe.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at September 13, 2006 10:23 AM