U.S. astronauts Steve Bowen and Alvin Drew completed a six-hour spacewalk, the first of the STS-133 mission, NASA said on its website on Tuesday.
The spacewalk, which lasted about six hours and a half, was sixth for Bowen and Drew's first time to venture outside the space station. The two astronauts prepared the station for installation of the new Leonardo Permanent Multipurpose Module.
The second and final spacewalk of the STS-133 mission will take place on Wednesday.
NASA also said that the mission will be extended for one day.
"Space Station Capcom Stan Love notified station Commander Scott Kelly and Discovery Commander Steve Lindsey that the "plus one" day is approved – a mission extension day – primarily for outfitting the Permanent Multipurpose Module," NASA said.
STS-133 is shuttle Discovery's 13th and final docking to the space station. After this mission, the shuttle will be retired and placed in a museum. According to NASA, Discovery has flown 38 missions to date – more missions than any other shuttle – and made more than 5,600 trips around the Earth.
During the mission, the crew is to deliver and install the Permanent Multipurpose Module, the Express Logistics Carrier 4 and provide critical spare components to the International Space Station.
MOSCOW, March 1 (RIA Novosti)
