Astronauts step out on 1st spacewalk of mission

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida. November 20. KAZINFORM. A pair of astronauts ventured out on the first spacewalk of their shuttle mission Thursday to tackle some antenna and cable work at the International Space Station; Kazinform refers to China Daily.

The linked shuttle-station was soaring over South America when Michael Foreman and Dr. Robert Satcher Jr. emerged from the hatch.

Satcher, the first orthopedic surgeon in space, was awed by the view 220 miles (350 kilometers) below. "Beautiful," he murmured. His partner, a veteran spacewalker, couldn't resist poking a little fun.

"Hard to believe, Bobby, I think your feet look bigger from space," Foreman joked.

Two more spacewalks are planned in coming days to perform space station maintenance and get the orbiting outpost ready for the next shuttle visitors.

Atlantis will remain at the space station until Wednesday; Kazinform cites China Daily. See www.chinadaily.com.cn for full version.