Russian Cosmonauts Conduct Spacewalk for Maintenance and Experiments

On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky embarked on a new spacewalk to install experiments and perform maintenance on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS). This mission was their second of the month, aiming to build upon work initiated on October 16.

Mission Details

The current spacewalk lasted 6 hours and 54 minutes, during which Ryzhikov and Zubritsky installed, relocated, and cleaned equipment on the Multipurpose Laboratory Module “Nauka.” The mission commenced with the opening of the hatch in the Mini-Research Module “Poisk” at 10:18 AM Eastern Time.

Using a telescopic crane known as the “Strela” arm, the cosmonauts transported their tools to the first worksite on the “Nauka” module. There, they installed two devices to support the Pulsed Plasma Experiment and research the effects of spacecraft on Earth’s ionosphere.

Scientific Experiments and Explorations

During the mission, the “Ekran-M” device, designed to produce ultra-thin materials for use in semiconductors, was installed. After discovering an issue with the device, the cosmonauts were instructed to extract a loose piece using tweezers and secure a new strip to ensure accurate data collection.

Additionally, Ryzhikov cleaned a window on the “Nauka” module, opening the shutters protecting the glass for cleaning and then closing them upon completion.

Challenges and Achievements

The mission concluded with the relocation of the external control panel for the European robotic arm, a device used to access various areas of the Russian segment of the station. The cosmonauts avoided discarding unnecessary equipment due to the arrival of the new Japanese cargo spacecraft “HTV-X.”

The spacewalk ended at 5:12 PM Eastern Time, with the cosmonauts safely returning to the “Poisk” module. This was the third mission of Expedition 73 and the 277th support mission for the ISS since 1998.

Conclusion

This mission reflects ongoing efforts to enhance scientific research and technological development in space. Thanks to the diligent work of the Russian cosmonauts, the ISS continues to carry out its important scientific missions, contributing to a better understanding of space and aerospace technology. These achievements mark a step toward a bright future for space exploration and utilization in new and innovative ways.