What tools do astronauts use in space?

Answer 1

There are quite a few tools that the Astronauts use, though for construction and maintenance in space, the Pistol Grip Tool (PGT) is the primary tool of choice. Its predecessor was the Power Ratchet Tool (PRT), originally developed and created for servicing the Hubble Space Telescope. Problems with a battery tether, battery time, bulkiness, and a lack of torque limiter/controls, led the Goddard Space Flight Center to design the PGT as the follow-up replacement for the PRT. The design was so successful (in other words, the Astronauts liked it) that it beat out a competing design for a tool for constructing the International Space Station by the Johnson Space Center.

The PGT is essentially designed like a cordless drill, except that it has 3/8" socket on the end. In fact, NASA originally approached the Black and Decker corporation to see if they were interested in designing it, but they declined due to the costs involved (PR would've been great though).

There are drum selections for torque, speed, and the information is available as a digital LED readout on the electronics package on top. Though some sources today say the PGT uses a NiMH battery, it was originally designed and flown with Lithium Ion battery packs; NASA spent over a half-million dollars on Lithium Ion technology for the program, leading eventually to its widespread use today.

In addition to the PGT, retainers, tethers, a trace gas analyzer (to ensure there's no leakage of gases present while they're working), sun shield (incorporated as part of their helmet) are the other standard tools for working in space.

There are a couple of PGT pictures on my Supervisor bio page; I was the Quality Rep responsible for the PGT program for NASA when it was being constructed and tested prior to HST's Second Servicing Mission in 1997.