NASA managers are evaluating whether to go for a Dec. 19 launch of Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus commercial resupply craft or move ahead with a series of spacewalks to repair a pump that is part of a cooling loop that shutdown last Wednesday due to low temperatures seen in the line.

Ground controllers have been sending commands to another valve that is part of the station’s cooling system. The hope is that this valve can be positioned in a way to help maintain the proper temperature in the loop, which could allow them to reintegrate part of the station’s internal electronics.