December 23, 2024

Astronauts on Space Station Gear Up for Science While Cosmonauts Relax Before Spacewalk

From leading to bottom, are the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module, the European robotic arm connected to Nauka, the Prichal docking module, and the Soyuz MS-23 crew ship. NASA Flight Engineer Frank Rubio started his work on Tuesday by eliminating a little satellite deployer from inside the Kibo laboratory modules airlock. NASA astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio works to set up the NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer inside the Kibo lab modules airlock. He filled software on a tablet computer found in the Unity module. The duo will spend Wednesday and Thursday checking their Orlan spacesuits and examining the procedures they will use to release a radiator on the Nauka science module.

Four main components on the Roscosmos section of the International Space Station are visualized as the orbital station soared 260 miles above the Andes range of mountains in Bolivia. From top to bottom, are the Nauka multipurpose lab module, the European robotic arm attached to Nauka, the Prichal docking module, and the Soyuz MS-23 crew ship. Credit: NASA
Expedition 69 astronauts kept life assistance equipment and serviced science hardware on the International Space Station, while cosmonauts prepared for Fridays spacewalk to deploy a radiator on the Nauka science module.
The Expedition 69 astronauts had their day complete on Tuesday, May 9, servicing a range of science hardware and preserving critical life assistance equipment. The cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station cleared their schedule and relaxed before finalizing preparations for Fridays spacewalk.
NASA Flight Engineer Frank Rubio began his work on Tuesday by getting rid of a little satellite deployer from inside the Kibo lab modules airlock. Kibos robotic arm grapples the deployer, places it in the vacuum of space, and points it away from the area station.

Rubio then moved into the Destiny laboratory module and examined the Microgravity Science Glovebox that accommodates area physics and biology experiments and reported his findings to ground controllers. Afterward, he resupplied the Columbus lab modules Human Research Facility (HRF) with sample collection kits, medical gloves, needles, and ultrasound elements.
NASA astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio works to install the NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer inside the Kibo lab modules airlock. After the airlock is depressurized, the Japanese robotic arm grapples the deployer and puts it outside in the vacuum of microgravity pointing it away from the International Space Station.
NASA Flight Engineer Stephen Bowen opened Destinys Combustion Integrated Rack and swapped fuel bottles inside the research study gadget that supports safe fuel, flame, and soot research studies. Bowen then switched carbon dioxide sensors and disconnected vent cables inside an artificial gravity producing incubator. At the end of the day, the four-time station visitor taped an instructional video to show area physics for high school trainees.
Bowen likewise invested a few moments assisting NASA Flight Engineer Woody Hoburg as he dealt with Destinys carbon dioxide removal assembly (CDRA) that develops a safe breathing environment on the station. Hoburg worked throughout Tuesday checking and changing parts for leaks inside the life support apparatus.
Astronaut Sultan Alneyadi of UAE (United Arab Emirates) handled numerous jobs on Tuesday as he worked on spacesuits, computer systems, life support gear, and science hardware. He packed software on a tablet computer found in the Unity module.
Cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev, Dmitri Petelin, and Andrey Fedyaev had the day of rest Tuesday aboard the orbital station. Prokopyev and Petelin are resting before they go on their third spacewalk given that April on Friday. The duo will spend Wednesday and Thursday examining their Orlan spacesuits and examining the procedures they will use to deploy a radiator on the Nauka science module. Fedyaev will help the cosmonauts in and out of their spacesuits and monitor their spacewalking activities.