ISS Managers Rethink Sparing Strategy

By Mark Carreau

HOUSTON — The July 31 failure of a coolant pump module assembly on the International Space Station has NASA managers and engineers re-evaluating their strategy for keeping the orbiting space laboratory flush with critical spare parts as the space shuttle retires.

The bulky 780-lb. pump module is scheduled for replacement during a pair of spacewalks using one of four ...

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