Spacewalkers work on the international space station

Astronaut Michael Foreman works inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis' payload bay during mission STS-129's first spacewalk as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Backdropped by the blackness of space, the International Space Station is seen in this image taken by a crew member aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis during rendezvous and docking activities Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Backdropped by the blackness of space, the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Atlantis' payload bay is seen in this image taken by a crew member aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis during rendezvous and docking activities Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Astronaut Mike Foreman works outside the International Space Station as he participates in Space Shuttle Atlantis' first spacewalk of mission STS-129 as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Astronaut Robert L. Satcher Jr. works outside the International Space Station as he participates in Space Shuttle Atlantis' first spacewalk of mission STS-129 as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station Photograph: NASA

The Space Shuttle Atlantis is shown is this photo taken from the International Space Station with an 800mm lens during its rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM) showing the topside of the forward cabin and part of the cargo bay Photograph: guardian.co.uk

A partial view of Space Shuttle Atlantis' payload bay, vertical stabilizer, orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods and docking mechanism are seen with the earth in the background in this image taken by an STS-129 crew member from an aft flight deck window Photograph: guardian.co.uk

A partial view of Space Shuttle Atlantis' payload bay, vertical stabilizer, orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods and docking mechanism are seen with the earth in the background in this image taken by an STS-129 crew member from an aft flight deck window Photograph: NASA/guardian.co.uk

The Japanese Kibo complex of the International Space Station is seen with the earth in the background in this image taken by an STS-129 crew member while Space Shuttle Atlantis remains docked with the station Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Astronaut Robert L. Satcher Jr. works outside the International Space Station as he participates in Space Shuttle Atlantis' first spacewalk of mission STS-129 as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Astronaut Robert L. Satcher Jr., STS-129 mission specialist, uses a digital still camera to expose a photo of his helmet visor during the mission's first session of extravehicular activity (EVA) as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Astronaut Robert L. Satcher Jr. works outside the International Space Station as he participates in Space Shuttle Atlantis' first spacewalk of mission STS-129 as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Astronaut Mike Foreman, STS-129 mission specialist, participates in the mission's first session of extravehicular activity (EVA) as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station Photograph: guardian.co.uk