Russias new multi-port docking module at the International Space Station is now prepared to get its very first spacecraft after two cosmonauts completed a seven-hour spacewalk.Anton Shkaplerov, leader of the area stations Expedition 66 crew, and Pyotr Dubrov, both of Roscosmos, exited the orbiting station on Wednesday (Jan. 19) to run cables to and set up the brand-new Prichal module to be used by future Soyuz team spacecraft and Progress freight lorries. The brand-new module, which adds five open docking ports, was introduced to the International Space Station and attached to Nauka in November.Video: See cosmonauts spacewalk outside Space Stations Nauka moduleRelated: Cosmonaut pictures reveal area station from uncommon perspectiveCosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov (in foreground with red striped spcesuit) and Pyotr Dubrov of Roscosmos work outside Russias Prichal multi-port docking module throughout a spacewalk outside of the International Space Station on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. Dubrovs overall is now 29 hours, 49 minutes.This was the first extravehicular activity (EVA) at the International Space Station in 2022 and the 246th for International Space Station assembly, maintenance and upgrades since building and construction began in 1998.
Russias brand-new multi-port docking module at the International Space Station is now ready to receive its first spacecraft after 2 cosmonauts completed a seven-hour spacewalk.Anton Shkaplerov, leader of the area stations Expedition 66 crew, and Pyotr Dubrov, both of Roscosmos, exited the orbiting outpost on Wednesday (Jan. 19) to run cable televisions to and configure the new Prichal module to be used by future Soyuz team spacecraft and Progress cargo automobiles. The spacewalk started at 7:17 a.m. EST (1217 GMT) as the 2 cosmonauts opened the hatch of the Poisk mini-research module on the space-facing side of the stations Russian segment.Once outside, Shkaplerov and Dubrov deployed the Strela telescoping boom, a 46-foot-long (14 meters) manually ran crane, which they both utilized to pass through Poisk and the multi-purpose lab module Nauka to reach their worksite next to Prichal. The brand-new module, which adds five open docking ports, was launched to the International Space Station and connected to Nauka in November.Video: See cosmonauts spacewalk outside Space Stations Nauka moduleRelated: Cosmonaut images show area station from uncommon perspectiveCosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov (in foreground with red striped spcesuit) and Pyotr Dubrov of Roscosmos work outside Russias Prichal multi-port docking module during a spacewalk beyond the International Space Station on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. (Image credit: NASA/Mark Vande Hei) Shkaplerov and Dubrov worked fairly near set up as they completed the tasks to supply power, communications and route information to and from Prichal and the rest of the spaceport station. The 2 cosmonauts uncovered and restrained hand rails to aid future spacewalks, linked cables and set up antennas for the “Kurs” automated docking system, in addition to rearranged a television camera to supply protection of the activities outside the brand-new module.” Dont trouble the problem until the trouble troubles you,” advised a flight controller in Mission Control Moscow after the spacewalkers came across a short snag attempting to install tether guards on the brand-new handrails. After a brief time out, the tether guard was successfully secured.Cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov (in foreground with red striped spacesuit) and Pyotr Dubrov of Roscosmos work outside Russias Prichal multi-port docking module during a spacewalk outside of the International Space Station on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. (Image credit: NASA/Mark Vande Hei) Shkaplerov and Dubrov likewise set up docking targets to be used by spacecraft approaching Prichal. Soyuz MS-21, set up for launch in mid-March, is anticipated to be first to dock with the brand-new module, bringing with it 3 Russian cosmonauts to sign up with the stations Expedition 67 team. At times throughout the spacewalk, Shkaplerov and Dubrov jettisoned thermal covers, containers and antennas that they eliminated from Prichal or were no longer needed. The spent hardware was pitched overboard opposite the instructions that the space station was traveling to avoid their being reencountered in orbit. The covers and antennas will ultimately fall back to Earth and burn up upon going into the atmosphere.The spacewalk ended at 2:28 p.m. EST (1928 GMT) after 7 hours, 11 minutes.Cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov (at left) jettisons a container (floating away at lower right) after installing the docking targets it when held for Russias Prichal multi-port docking module. Shkaplerov and Pytor Dubrov prepared Prichal for future visiting spacecraft throughout a spacewalk outside of the International Space Station on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. (Image credit: NASA TELEVISION) Wednesdays spacewalk was the third in Shkaplerovs career and 4th for Dubrov. Shkaplerov has actually now logged 21 hours and 39 minutes working in the vacuum of space. Dubrovs total is now 29 hours, 49 minutes.This was the very first extravehicular activity (EVA) at the International Space Station in 2022 and the 246th for International Space Station assembly, maintenance and upgrades given that building began in 1998. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or on Facebook..