Astronauts Go On Spacewalk To Fix Ammonia Leak

Two astronauts went on a last-minute spacewalk Saturday to replace a pump suspected of being the source of a serious ammonia leak.

It was unclear what caused the ammonia leak, NASA spokesman Rob Navias said, "but the installation of this spare pump package ? at least at the moment ? seems to have done the trick."

According to The Associated Press, NASA said the leak never jeopardized the crew at the International Space Station, but the agency wanted to fix the problem while it was fresh.

NASA plans to hold a press conference about the spacewalk at 4:30 p.m. ET. You can watch it live on NASA's videostream:

Our Original Post Continues:

As two astronauts make what The Associated Press writes is "a hastily planned spacewalk Saturday to try to fix an ammonia leak in the power system of the International Space Station," NASA is webcasting.

It's estimated they'll be working on the problem for about six hours. The leak is not presenting a danger, NASA says, and the space station still has plenty of power.

Update at 3:08. ET. : New Pump Installed

NASA says astronauts Chris Cassidy and Tom Marshburn replaced a pump controller box suspected of being the source of the ammonia leak. The Associated Press reports they uncovered "no smoking guns" responsible for the problem.

Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/11/183100829/live-webcast-of-astronauts-spacewalk?ft=1&f=1007

carole king crystal renn matilda cab calloway melissa gilbert deadliest catch dwts