AP Photo\/NASA, File FILE - In this file image made from video provided by NASA, astronaut Terry Virts points to his helmet as he sits inside the International Space Station on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, during an inspection for water in his suit. Virts reported the water while he waited in the air lock for Wednesday's spacewalk to formally conclude. On Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, NASA cleared Virts' spacesuit for the last of three spacewalks, set for Sunday. Mission managers believe they understand the quirks with this suit, and insist it is safe to use. <\/p>\n
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. American astronauts will venture back out for a spacewalk this weekend, despite a helmet water leak on their previous trip outside the International Space Station. <\/p>\n
NASA on Friday cleared astronaut Terry Virts' spacesuit for the last of three spacewalks to install cable. Mission managers believe they understand the quirks with this older suit and insist it is safe to use for Sunday's spacewalk. <\/p>\n
In 2013, another astronaut nearly drowned because of a flooded helmet. On Wednesday, the amount of water seepage in Virts' helmet was significantly smaller and occurred at the end of the spacewalk when Virts was already inside. <\/p>\n
\"They're very different occurrences,\" said Alex Kanelakos, a spacewalk officer in Mission Control. <\/p>\n
Kanelakos said the latest leak was the result of condensation that occurred during the air lock repressurization. There have been seven other similar instances on this particular suit, he said. <\/p>\n
\"It's a known feature,\" Kanelakos said during a NASA broadcast Friday. <\/p>\n
Virts estimated the amount of water in his helmet Wednesday at one-half of an ounce. That did not include the water that moistened the absorbent pad at the back of his head, or that might have escaped when his helmet was removed. <\/p>\n
As much as 2 ounces of water could condense like this and get into the helmet without causing a problem, Kanelakos said. <\/p>\n
Astronaut Butch Wilmore's suit which is new functioned perfectly. <\/p>\n
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NASA approves Sunday spacewalk despite water leak in helmet<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" AP Photo\/NASA, File FILE - In this file image made from video provided by NASA, astronaut Terry Virts points to his helmet as he sits inside the International Space Station on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, during an inspection for water in his suit Continue reading