The first of three STS-113 spacewalks is under way. Mission Specialists Michael Lopez-Alegria and John Herrington began the excursion at 1:49 p.m. CST (1949 GMT).STS-113 Spacewalkers Activating, Outfitting P1 Truss

The first of three STS-113 spacewalks is under way. Mission Specialists Michael Lopez-Alegria and John Herrington began the excursion at 1:49 p.m. CST (1949 GMT).

Their main task is to begin the activation and outfitting of the P1 (P-One) Truss, which was installed onto the International Space Station at 12:48 p.m. CST (1848 GMT) today. They will make connections between the P1 and the S0 (S-Zero) Truss and release launch restraints on the Crew and Equipment Translation Aid, or CETA cart. They will also install a Wireless video system External Transceiver Assembly, which will be used to support helmet camera communications, onto the station's Unity Module.

Pilot Paul Lockhart is coordinating spacewalk activities, and Commander Jim Wetherbee is operating the shuttle's robot arm. The spacewalk, which is based out of the station's Quest Airlock, is slated to wrap up about 8 p.m. CST today (0200 GMT Wednesday).

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