Spacewalk Goes On Despite Last-Minute Crew Switch

Feb 11, FoxNews

HOUSTON — Space shuttle Atlantis' astronauts geared up for a spacewalk Monday that NASA said would remain unchanged despite a last-minute switch in crew for medical reasons.

"The only difference is who's going out the hatch," said flight director Mike Sarafin.

The primary purpose of the spacewalk is to help install the European lab, Columbus, that Atlantis ferried to the international space station.

German astronaut Hans Schlegel was supposed to carry out the spacewalk with American Rex Walheim, but was pulled from the job Saturday because of an undisclosed illness.

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photo: NASA TV image shows international space station Astronaut Peggy Whitson is seen on her 48th birthday on Feb 9 (AP/NASA TV)