Overview of the Spacewalk
Two Russian cosmonauts completed their first extravehicular activity together outside the International Space Station, successfully installing a semiconductor materials experiment and disposing of an outdated external camera. Expedition 73 commander Sergey Ryzhikov and flight engineer Alexey Zubritsky returned to the Poisk module’s airlock after a mission that stretched across more than six hours.
Tasking and Timeline
The spacewalk began at 1:10 p.m. EDT (17:10 GMT) and concluded at 7:19 p.m. EDT (23:19 GMT), marking 6 hours and 9 minutes of activity. The cosmonauts carried out a pair of primary objectives: installing the Ekran-M molecular beam epitaxy experiment and removing a European Robotic Arm-assisted payload installation to jettison a no-longer-needed high-definition television system.
The Ekran-M Semiconductor Experiment
Ryzhikov and Zubritsky worked outside the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module to install the drum-shaped Ekran-M unit. The experiment aims to demonstrate the production of ultra-thin semiconductor materials that are difficult to manufacture on Earth. In the microgravity environment of space, materials can be grown with precision that informs the next generation of semiconductors. Once in place, the team connected power lines and secured a swappable cassette, enabling potential future experiments without repeatedly reopening the external hardware.
Why It Matters
Advances in space-based semiconductor processing could lead to higher-quality materials used in space systems and perhaps more efficient manufacturing techniques for terrestrial electronics. The experiment underscores ongoing Roscosmos efforts to leverage the station’s unique conditions to push materials science forward, complementing experiments conducted by other international partners aboard the ISS.
Jettisoning the HDTV Camera
After completing the Ekran-M installation, the duo turned their attention to a Canadian payload’s HDTV system that was no longer needed. Zubritsky stood at the end of the European Robotic Arm to release the camera, sending it away from the ISS toward Earth. The jettisoned hardware weighed about 180 pounds (82 kilograms) and measured roughly 2 by 4.6 by 2.3 feet (0.6 by 1.4 by 0.7 meters). As anticipated, the object will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and disintegrate before reaching the planet’s surface.
During the jettison, Zubritsky radioed, “It is going so well. Jettison is complete,” as the camera disappeared into the shadow of the planet. The disposal was carefully planned to ensure the debris would not collide with the space station or return to its vicinity.
Other Tasks and Closeouts
In addition to the main tasks, the cosmonauts cleaned a window on the Zvezda service module to maintain exterior visibility and prepare for re-entry. They also retrieved an exposed material samples experiment to bring back inside the station, contributing to ongoing studies that span laboratories and living quarters aboard the ISS. The pair reentered the Poisk airlock and closed the hatch, signaling the successful completion of their EVA and the culmination of a coordinated, multi-module operation for Expedition 73.
Significance for ISS Missions
This EVA showcases international collaboration, technological experimentation, and the routine maintenance that keeps the ISS operational. It highlights how crew members use the station’s robotic assets—such as the European Robotic Arm—to perform complex tasks outside the hull, reducing time outside the orbital platform and increasing mission safety. As space agencies continue to expand the scope of experiments outside the station, the incorporation of semiconductor materials research on board will likely influence future long-duration missions and the design of space-based manufacturing.
