Overview of the ISS Extravehicular Activity
In a notable demonstration of international space research collaboration and spacewalk precision, two Russian cosmonauts conducted an important EVA outside the International Space Station. The mission featured the installation of a semiconductor materials experiment designed to push the boundaries of microgravity manufacturing, while also removing a no-longer-needed high-definition television camera to free up exterior space and reduce debris risk. The operation underscores both the evolving role of Russia’s space program and the continued importance of external experiments in advancing semiconductor technology.
The EVA Mission: Objectives and Team
Expedition 73 commander Sergey Ryzhikov and flight engineer Alexey Zubritsky carried out the spacewalk, marking their first joint extravehicular activity together. Their work began at 1:10 p.m. EDT (17:10 GMT) and concluded at 7:19 p.m. EDT (23:19 GMT), with the duo returning to the Poisk module’s airlock after more than six hours outside the stations. The EVA was performed with assistance from the European Robotic Arm, operated remotely from the station’s interior to position cosmonaut Ryzhikov at the Ekran-M semiconductor experiment and to facilitate safe maneuvering around the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module.
The Ekran-M Semiconductor Materials Experiment
At the heart of the mission was the Ekran-M, a drum-shaped unit designed to explore the production of ultra-thin materials in microgravity. By leveraging the absence of gravity, researchers can create materials too delicate to form reliably on Earth. The experiment includes a swappable cassette and power connections to demonstrate a pathway for turning space-made materials into components for future semiconductor devices. If successful, the Ekran-M operation could inform scalable manufacturing methods for advanced microelectronic materials that benefit a wide range of technologies on Earth and in space, including sensors and quantum applications.
Jettisoning the Old HDTV Camera
Following the primary objectives, Zubritsky and Ryzhikov proceeded to the Zvezda service module to retrieve a no-longer-needed television system that had been part of a Canadian payload. The crew then disposed of the camera by jettisoning it overboard, a routine practice to manage external hardware and prevent interference with station operations. The camera, weighing about 180 pounds (82 kilograms) and measuring roughly 2 by 4.6 by 2.3 feet, is expected to burn up upon atmospheric reentry as it reenters Earth’s atmosphere and is destroyed. The jettison operation was confirmed when Zubritsky radioed, “Jettison is complete,” as the object disappeared into Earth’s shadow.
<h2 Other Tasks and Reentries
In addition to the primary tasks, the cosmonauts cleaned a window on the service module and retrieved an exposed material samples experiment to bring back inside the space station. These ancillary tasks illustrate the meticulous workflow that accompanies EVA missions, ensuring that scientific experiments remain intact and that the exterior of the ISS remains clear of debris and obstructions. The successful completion of the EVA reflects the ongoing cooperation among international partners, the adaptation of robotic assistance in space, and the steady cadence of research activities aboard the orbiting laboratory.
<h2 Significance for Future Research
The successful deployment of the Ekran-M semiconductor materials experiment demonstrates a growing interest in leveraging microgravity for materials science, with potential downstream effects on microelectronics and sensor technology. As space agencies continue to invest in longer-duration missions and more complex payloads, such demonstrations help validate manufacturing concepts that could lead to lighter, more efficient components for spacecraft, satellites, and commercial devices on Earth. The ISS remains a critical platform for testing and refining these processes before any large-scale terrestrial adoption.
<h2 Looking Ahead
With the ISS community continuing to operate through fluctuating schedules and evolving international partnerships, each EVA offers fresh data, lessons, and opportunities. The recent activities surrounding the Ekran-M experiment and the camera jettison add to a growing archive of space hardware demonstrations, and they set the stage for future explorations into semiconductor materials production in microgravity and other advanced manufacturing techniques in orbit.
