Fast Facts
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Successful Spacewalk: Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky completed a 6-hour, 54-minute spacewalk on October 28, performing tasks on the International Space Station’s exterior.
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Key Experiments Installed: They mounted equipment for the Impuls experiment, focusing on potential jet engine functionality in space, and addressed issues with the Molecular Beam Epitaxy experiment aimed at semiconductor material production.
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Maintenance and Cleanup: The cosmonauts cleaned a window on the Nauka module and relocated an exterior control panel for the European Robotic Arm during their EVA.
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Historical Milestone: This spacewalk marked the 277th EVA in support of the ISS’s assembly and maintenance, with Zubritsky now totaling 13 hours and 3 minutes, and Ryzhikov reaching 19 hours and 51 minutes outside.
Cosmonauts Enhance Space Station Through Successful Spacewalk
Two Russian cosmonauts recently completed a significant spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS), furthering vital scientific research and maintenance. On October 28, they spent nearly seven hours installing experiments and improving equipment on the station.
Initially, they opened the hatch on the Poisk Mini-Research Module-2 at 10:18 a.m. EDT. After preparing their tools, they used a telescoping crane, known as the Strela boom, to reach their first worksite on the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module.
Their main task involved attaching a two-part apparatus for a pulse plasma experiment, known as Impuls. This study has the potential to advance our understanding of jet engines in space, enhancing future aerospace technologies. Additionally, they relocated equipment for another experiment, the Ion Ionospheric-500, aimed at studying spacecraft impacts on Earth’s ionosphere.
In a noteworthy moment, one cosmonaut cleaned a window on the Nauka module. They carefully opened the protective shutters, cleaned the pane, and then secured them again.
Transitioning to their earlier efforts, they addressed an issue with the Ekran-M experiment, which focuses on creating materials for semiconductors. After discovering a loose gasket, they followed procedures to extract it without damaging the device. By placing a new cassette into the experiment, they secured the data collection process, which will contribute to future innovations in materials science.
Before concluding their spacewalk, they moved an exterior control panel for the European Robotic Arm, crucial for accessing different areas of the Russian segment. Due to the upcoming arrival of Japan’s HTV-X cargo vehicle, they opted to postpone the jettison of unnecessary equipment to avoid debris hazards.
The spacewalk lasted until 5:12 p.m. EDT, marking the third EVA for Expedition 73. Each activity like this not only supports the ISS’s ongoing maintenance but also enriches our technological advancements, impacting life on Earth and beyond. The advancements in studies conducted during these spacewalks hold promise for future innovations in space exploration and materials technology.
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