Following a spacewalk for maintenance operations, NASA’s Expedition 70 Flight Engineers, Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli, were secured to the port side of the International Space Station’s support structure. Their task was the replacement of a trundle bearing assembly on the station’s port solar alpha rotary joint — a critical component that enables the solar arrays to orient towards the Sun, thereby supplying the ISS with necessary power. Image Source: NASA
On Thursday, November 11, the members of Expedition 70 were engaged in routine activities after the extravehicular activity (EVA), which encompassed medical evaluations, spacesuit maintenance, and a debriefing. Concurrently, scientific investigations persisted, focusing on advancements in aeronautics and off-Earth manufacturing techniques.
Post-EVA, NASA’s Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara undertook their inaugural medical assessments following the EVA. They took each other’s vital metrics, such as temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. Subsequently, they proceeded to clear the Quest airlock and commence the deactivation process for their EVA suits.
During a day filled with reviews and scientific tasks, Moghbeli transferred the visual records captured during the EVA. She also took photos of the spacesuit gloves for Earth-based experts to examine. Meanwhile, O’Hara conducted a cognitive evaluation via computer.
Post-lunch, both astronauts convened with Commander Andreas Mogensen and Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa to discuss the preceding day’s EVA. Mogensen of the European Space Agency dedicated time to EVA suit servicing, while Furukawa of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency conducted ocular examinations using the Ultrasound 2 device towards the day’s end.
On the Russian side of the ISS, the cosmonauts dedicated their time to scientific endeavors and upkeep of the station’s Roscosmos segment. Cosmonaut Nikolai Chub divided his time between two studies: one on navigational strategies for potential planetary expeditions and the other on 3D printing technology, which could reduce the dependency on resupply missions from Earth. His colleagues, cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Konstantin Borisov, were tasked with maintaining the station’s life support systems and electronic equipment.
NASA, together with SpaceX, has rescheduled the CRS-29 resupply mission to the ISS for 8:28 p.m. EST on November 9. This postponement facilitates the completion of prelaunch protocols. The mission involves the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon cargo spacecraft, set to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
SpaceX undergoes rigorous prelaunch inspections during each phase, from refurbishment to the final integration, ensuring the Dragon spacecraft is prepared for a safe mission. During these checks for the CRS-29 mission, a leak in the nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer within a Draco thruster valve was detected, necessitating a pause for troubleshooting. After a thorough inspection and data analysis, the decision was made to replace the thruster.
Throughout these proceedings, SpaceX has maintained open communication with NASA. The teams decided jointly to delay the launch to accommodate the replacement of the faulty part and to perform comprehensive system evaluations and data reviews.
The new launch date of November 9 means the Dragon spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS at approximately 5:20 a.m. on Saturday, November 11.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Expedition 70 Spacewalk
What activities did the Expedition 70 crew undertake following their spacewalk?
The Expedition 70 team engaged in routine post-spacewalk procedures which included medical check-ups, maintenance of their spacesuits, and a detailed conference with the ground team to discuss the EVA.
Who participated in the spacewalk to maintain the ISS’s solar arrays?
NASA Flight Engineers Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli conducted the spacewalk to replace a trundle bearing assembly on the ISS’s port solar alpha rotary joint.
What scientific research did the ISS crew conduct post-EVA?
The crew studied advanced piloting techniques for future missions and 3D printing technology that could potentially decrease the reliance on Earth-based resupply missions.
What was the reason for the rescheduling of SpaceX’s CRS-29 mission to the ISS?
The rescheduling was due to the need to replace a Draco thruster valve after a nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer leak was detected during prelaunch checks.
When is the new launch time for the SpaceX CRS-29 mission, and when will it dock with the ISS?
The rescheduled launch time for the SpaceX CRS-29 mission is 8:28 p.m. EST on November 9, with docking at the ISS anticipated for approximately 5:20 a.m. on Saturday, November 11.
More about Expedition 70 Spacewalk
- Expedition 70 Spacewalk Overview
- ISS Solar Array Maintenance
- NASA Astronauts Post-EVA Health Checks
- ISS Advanced Research Projects
- SpaceX CRS-29 Resupply Mission Update
- SpaceX Pre-Launch Procedures
- ISS Expedition Crew Members
5 comments
Launch delays must be stressful, wonder how they manage the schedule with all those changes.
SpaceX and NASA seem to have a lot on their plate with the CRS-29 mission, hope the new valve fixes the issue.
didn’t realize how much work astronauts do after a spacewalk. the medical exams and suit maintenance seems like a lot.
theres something cool about astronauts doing 3D printing in space, like star trek stuff happening for real.
Wow just read about the spacewalk, sounds intense replacing those trundle bearings. space must be amazing tho!