2 Russian cosmonauts turn cable guys in spacewalk

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Russian cosmonauts are taking a spacewalk to lay cable for a new lab that’s due to arrive at the International Space Station in a few months.

Fyodor Yurchikhin and Aleksandr Misurkin floated outside Friday. It’s one month since their Italian crewmate almost drowned when leaking water flooded his helmet during a spacewalk. Luca Parmitano’s spacesuit was provided by NASA. Friday’s spacewalkers are wearing Russian-made suits that differ from the U.S. version.

NASA is still investigating last month’s close call. The problem appears to be in the life-support backpack.

The Russian Space Agency plans to launch a new science lab by year’s end. This is the third of six Russian spacewalks planned for this year. The next one is next week.