Spacewalk rules to change following close call

The Voice of America reported on February 18 that spacewalk rules will be changed on the international space station, following an incident in which Leroy Chao ventured too close to the station's maneuvering jets during an EVA.

The space station's position in orbit is maintained by a series of thrusters that fire automatically at irregular intervals. During a spacewalk last month, Chao came too close to one of these unsafe zones, and was warned away from the area. NASA officials say Chao's spacesuit was not contaminated by exhaust fumes.