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Spacewalks Scheduled For Weekend, Christmas

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – NASA will send two Expedition 38 astronauts on spacewalks over the weekend and on Christmas Day.

The walks will take place December 21, 23 and 25.  The astronauts will remove a pump module that has a failed flow valve.

According to NASA, astronauts Rick Mastracchio and Mike Hopkins will conduct the walks outside the International Space Station.

The spacewalks will begin at 7:10 a.m. each morning and will last about six hours.

NASA says the pump to be removed is associated with one of the station's two external cooling loops.  They circulate ammonia outside the station to assist with keeping the internal and external equipment cool.

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