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Crew of Expedition 70 Prepare for Upcoming Extravehicular Activities as Axiom Space Discloses Future Mission Timelines
Situated 260 miles above the Pacific Ocean in the vicinity of the Aleutian Islands, the Canadarm2 robotic arm is prominently visible extending from the International Space Station (ISS). Photo Credit: NASA
The team of Expedition 70 concluded the week with a primary focus on two imminent extravehicular activities (EVAs), commonly known as spacewalks. Concurrently, onboard the ISS, time was allocated for scientific investigations and logistical tasks. This occurred in parallel with Axiom Space publicizing the schedule for its forthcoming private missions.
On Friday afternoon, NASA astronauts Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli collaborated in assembling the equipment they will need for a scheduled EVA on October 30. They will leave the ISS through the Quest airlock and devote approximately six and a half hours to the disassembly of electronic equipment and the substitution of solar array components on the orbital station.
Prior to making preparations for the EVA, O’Hara conducted an inspection of the Human Research Facility’s hardware, recorded her daily consumption of food and medication, and transmitted medical data to terrestrial researchers. Moghbeli initiated her workday by taking blood pressure readings, proceeded to maintain life support systems, and then switched into a sensor-equipped vest and headband to continually monitor her health throughout her tasks.
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus space cargo vessel, featuring one of its distinctive UltraFlex solar panels, is shown docked at the Earth-facing port of the ISS’s Unity module. The spacecraft was at an altitude of 261 miles above an Atlantic Ocean storm when this image was captured on September 1, 2023. Photo Credit: NASA
Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) was engrossed in mastering the techniques required for operating the Canadarm2 robotic arm. This will take place when O’Hara and Moghbeli conduct their maintenance EVA later in the month. Furukawa also filled the Cygnus vessel with waste and obsolete equipment, subsequently preparing cargo for the forthcoming SpaceX Dragon resupply mission slated for a November 5 launch.
ESA (European Space Agency) Commander Andreas Mogensen continued his work with a specialized high-speed camera capable of capturing 100,000 frames per second. Stationed in the cupola, he aimed the camera towards Earth to photograph thunderstorms and electrical phenomena, thereby contributing to a greater understanding of the Earth’s atmosphere and encouraging the development of future space technologies.
Commander Andreas Mogensen of the European Space Agency aided NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli in trying on and testing her spacesuit within the ISS’s Quest airlock, in anticipation of the planned EVA. Photo Credit: NASA
Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub dedicated the entirety of their Friday to preparations for their own spacewalk, slated for October 25. Situated in the Poisk airlock, the flight engineers donned their Orlan spacesuits and rehearsed the procedures for their upcoming extravehicular activities. These activities will involve the installation of scientific apparatus, the release of a nanosatellite, and an inspection of a reserve radiator that has experienced a coolant leak. Flight Engineer Konstantin Borisov provided support, assisting the cosmonauts with their spacesuits and reviewing operational protocols for the spacewalk.
Regarding upcoming private missions, Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX are targeting a launch window not before October 2024 for Axiom Mission 4. This mission will transport private astronauts to the ISS. The subsequent private mission, Axiom Mission 3, led once again by former NASA astronaut and Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, has a projected launch date not earlier than January 2024, originating from Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Expedition 70 Spacewalk Preparations and Axiom Mission Announcements
What is the primary focus of the Expedition 70 crew for the week?
The primary focus of the Expedition 70 crew for the week has been on preparing for two upcoming extravehicular activities (EVAs), commonly known as spacewalks. Alongside this, there has also been time allocated for scientific research and logistical tasks onboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Who are the NASA astronauts involved in the planned spacewalk on October 30?
NASA astronauts Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli are the individuals scheduled to conduct a spacewalk on October 30. They will exit the ISS through the Quest airlock and spend approximately six and a half hours performing tasks such as disassembling electronic equipment and replacing solar array components.
What are some other tasks the astronauts are doing aside from preparing for spacewalks?
Aside from preparing for the spacewalks, Loral O’Hara inspected the Human Research Facility’s hardware, recorded her daily intake of food and medication, and sent medical data to researchers on Earth. Jasmin Moghbeli measured her blood pressure, performed maintenance on life support systems, and wore sensor-equipped gear to monitor her health.
What role does JAXA’s astronaut Satoshi Furukawa play in the upcoming events?
Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is tasked with mastering the techniques required for operating the Canadarm2 robotic arm. He will employ these skills when O’Hara and Moghbeli conduct their maintenance spacewalk later in the month.
What is the status of private missions by Axiom Space?
Axiom Space has announced that it is targeting no earlier than October 2024 to launch Axiom Mission 4, a mission to transport private astronauts to the ISS. The next private mission, Axiom Mission 3, is scheduled for a launch no earlier than January 2024 and will be led by former NASA astronaut and Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria.
What is the role of Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus space freighter in the ISS?
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus space cargo vessel is currently docked at the Earth-facing port of the ISS’s Unity module. It serves as a vehicle for transporting supplies and equipment to the ISS and will be filled with waste and obsolete equipment for its return journey.
What research is being conducted by ESA Commander Andreas Mogensen?
ESA Commander Andreas Mogensen is involved in operating a specialized high-speed camera that can capture up to 100,000 frames per second. He is using this camera to photograph thunderstorms and their electrical activity, with the aim of improving atmospheric knowledge and promoting future space applications.
What tasks are the Roscosmos cosmonauts preparing for their scheduled spacewalk on October 25?
Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub are preparing for their own spacewalk on October 25. They will don Orlan spacesuits and perform tasks that include installing scientific apparatus, releasing a nanosatellite, and inspecting a reserve radiator that has experienced a coolant leak.
More about Expedition 70 Spacewalk Preparations and Axiom Mission Announcements
- Expedition 70 Mission Overview
- NASA’s Official Page on Extravehicular Activities (EVAs)
- Axiom Space Official Mission Announcements
- Northrop Grumman Cygnus Missions
- JAXA’s Role in ISS Operations
- ESA’s Scientific Research Aboard the ISS
- Roscosmos Official Spacewalk Preparations
- SpaceX Dragon Resupply Missions
7 comments
Hope that waste from the Cygnus gets properly disposed of. Space junk is already a problem, we dont need more of it.
Wow, didn’t realize how busy astronauts are. Prepping for spacewalks, doing research, and managing life support all in a day’s work, huh.
thats some advanced camera work by the ESA commander. 100,000 frames per second, can you even imagine?
Finally, some updates on Axiom Missions. Been waitin for it! If they’re targeting 2024, guess we have to be patient.
So proud of all the women in space! go Loral and Jasmin. Making history while floating above earth, love to see it.
Pretty cool how international the ISS is. We got NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA and ESA all working together up there.
Anyone else wondering what kind of scientific apparatus the Roscosmos cosmonauts are installing? I mean, whats it for?