Space: ISS upgrading power pack remotely

ISS 2017: Out with the old (batteries) in with the new

Ground controllers used a robotic manipulator over the weekend to remove four old nickel-hydrogen batteries and install three new lithium-ion batteries at the International Space Station.

The old battery pack was stoved on an external pallet, which will be released to burn up in the atmosphere by Japan’s support vehicle as it de-orbits later this month. The robotic operation is backed by a couple of space walks scheduled for this weekend.

A briefing to preview the two spacewalks and to review all of the robotics work will be broadcast on NASA Television on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. Eastern time.