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Spacewalk Repair

Astronauts sometimes go outside a spacecraft to replace or fix equipment that cannot be handled from inside. Tethers attach them and their tools to the structure so nothing floats away.

In the picture

  1. Waist tether: a line clipped from the suit’s hip ring to the station rail, keeping the astronaut attached.
  2. Tool tether: a short cord from the tool to the suit cuff, keeping the tool from drifting away.
  3. Power tool: a handheld driver that loosens or tightens fasteners on the battery unit.
  4. Battery unit: a rectangular module on the station truss that can be swapped during a spacewalk.

Examples

  • A climber clipped to a safety rope while working on a cliff.
  • A phone secured by a wrist strap so it does not fall from a balcony.

Quiz: Spacewalk Repair (Age 12)

  1. Why do astronauts sometimes go outside a spacecraft?

    • To replace or fix equipment that cannot be handled from inside
    • To test how well they move with thick gloves
    • To take photographs of Earth from outside
  2. What keeps an astronaut attached to the station during a spacewalk?

    • The waist tether clipped from the suit’s hip ring to the station rail
    • The tool tether from the tool to the suit cuff
    • The power tool used to loosen or tighten fasteners
  3. What is the purpose of the tool tether?

    • It keeps the tool from drifting away
    • It keeps the astronaut attached to the station rail
    • It loosens or tightens fasteners on the battery unit

The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.

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Technology, Age 12