Space Station Unfurls Wings

from CNN

NASA unfurled two solar wings on the new 17-1/2-ton addition to the international space station early Thursday after overcoming a software problem that delayed the maneuver for hours.

As they opened separately like accordion window blinds, the solar wings looked like cosmic blankets of gold bars in the reflection of an orbital sunrise. The solar arrays were mounted on blankets and folded up like an accordion for delivery to space as part of the new $372 million addition added to the space station. Together, they span 240 feet. When the space station is completed in 2010, the solar arrays will provide about a quarter of its power.

Space shuttle Atlantis' 11-day schedule is tightly packed, and the arrays needed to be deployed in order for astronauts to go on the third and final spacewalk of the mission Friday. The mission is the first since late 2002 to resume space station construction, which was halted after the Columbia accident in early 2003.