The NASA Spacewalk Schedule Has Been Modified Due to Concerns About a Coolant Leak
As part of an ongoing evaluation by NASA managers and engineers following a coolant leak incident involving a backup radiator on the International Space Station’s Nauka multipurpose laboratory module, a previously scheduled spacewalk set for no earlier than Thursday, October 19, has been postponed to a later date this year.
The adjustment to the spacewalk date is intended to provide engineers with additional time to thoroughly analyze the coolant leak that occurred and was halted on October 9. It is important to note that the leaked coolant poses no toxicity or hazard to the crew. Nevertheless, experts are actively deliberating on how to prevent minuscule traces of the substance from entering certain internal systems to prevent equipment degradation over time. It’s worth mentioning that the tasks planned for this particular spacewalk are not time-sensitive, and the schedule alteration will not affect the operations of the space station.
Upcoming U.S. Spacewalks
The forthcoming spacewalk, now designated as U.S. Spacewalk 89 and scheduled for Monday, October 30, will involve NASA astronauts Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli. Their mission during this spacewalk includes the removal of a malfunctioning electronics box known as a Radio Frequency Group from a communications antenna bracket, as well as the replacement of one of twelve Trundle Bearing Assemblies on the port truss Solar Alpha Rotary Joint. These bearings play a crucial role in enabling the station’s solar arrays to properly track the Sun as the station orbits the Earth. During this spacewalk, Moghbeli will serve as EVA crew member 1, while O’Hara will serve as EVA crew member 2. This will mark the first-ever spacewalk for both O’Hara and Moghbeli.
Later this year, O’Hara, in collaboration with ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, will conduct what is designated as U.S. Spacewalk 90. Their mission will involve collecting samples from the exterior of the orbital complex to analyze whether microorganisms may exist there. Additionally, they will replace a high-definition camera on the port truss of the station and perform other maintenance tasks in preparation for future spacewalks.
Roscosmos Spacewalk and Other Activities
Meanwhile, a spacewalk by Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub remains scheduled for Wednesday, October 25. During this spacewalk, Kononenko and Chub will install a synthetic radar communications system on the Russian segment of the orbiting laboratory and deploy a nanosatellite to test solar sail technology. Furthermore, they plan to inspect and photograph the backup radiator that experienced a leak on the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module.
Daily Activities of the Crew
On Monday, spacewalk preparations continued aboard the International Space Station. The Expedition 70 astronauts and cosmonauts engaged in servicing their individual spacesuits. Cargo operations were also underway, with the crew members working inside the Cygnus space freighter and making preparations for the upcoming SpaceX Dragon cargo mission.
Specifically, Mogensen began the day by emptying and refilling water tanks and cleaning cooling loops inside two spacesuits. Moghbeli completed the maintenance tasks in the afternoon, concluding the cooling loop work and deconfiguring the spacesuits.
Subsequently, Mogensen spent the remainder of the afternoon alongside O’Hara, unpacking supplies and loading trash inside Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo craft. Meanwhile, Moghbeli and Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) were pre-packing cargo bags that will be loaded onto the next SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft set to visit the orbiting laboratory. Furukawa began his day by processing samples and swapping gas bottles inside the Electrostatic Levitation Furnace, a high-temperature thermophysics research device.
Kononenko and Chub dedicated their Monday morning to preparing for their upcoming spacewalk. This involved charging batteries and inspecting life support components within their Orlan spacesuits. Following this, Kononenko focused on cardiac research, while Chub checked and closed hatches between the Poisk airlock and the Roscosmos Progress 84 resupply ship.
Roscosmos Flight Engineer Konstantin Borisov commenced his day by working on the Elektron oxygen generator and other life support components. In the afternoon, he provided assistance to Kononenko with his cardiac research and conducted inspections of portions of the Zvezda service module.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Spacewalk Schedule Adjustment
Q: Why was the spacewalk schedule altered?
A: The spacewalk schedule was changed due to concerns about a coolant leak from a backup radiator on the International Space Station’s Nauka module. This adjustment allowed engineers more time to analyze the issue.
Q: Is the leaked coolant hazardous to the crew?
A: No, the leaked coolant is not toxic or hazardous for the crew. However, efforts are being made to prevent traces of the substance from entering internal systems to avoid equipment degradation.
Q: What tasks were planned for the postponed spacewalk?
A: The tasks for the deferred spacewalk were not time-sensitive, and the schedule adjustment did not impact space station operations.
Q: When is the next U.S. spacewalk, and what will it involve?
A: The next U.S. spacewalk, designated as U.S. Spacewalk 89, is scheduled for October 30. During this spacewalk, NASA astronauts will remove a faulty electronics box and replace Trundle Bearing Assemblies on the station’s solar arrays.
Q: What is the purpose of U.S. Spacewalk 90 later this year?
A: U.S. Spacewalk 90 will involve collecting samples from the exterior of the space station to analyze for the presence of microorganisms. Additionally, maintenance work will be conducted to prepare for future spacewalks.
Q: Are there any Roscosmos spacewalks scheduled?
A: Yes, a spacewalk by Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub is scheduled for October 25. They will install a synthetic radar communications system and deploy a nanosatellite, among other tasks.
Q: What are the daily activities of the crew on the International Space Station?
A: The crew members are engaged in various activities, including servicing spacesuits, conducting cargo operations, and performing research tasks related to cardiac health and life support systems.
More about Spacewalk Schedule Adjustment
- NASA’s Official Website
- International Space Station (ISS) Information
- Spacewalks on the ISS
- Roscosmos Official Website
- Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus Spacecraft
- SpaceX Dragon Cargo Missions
- Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF)
- Zvezda Service Module