What hardware is the cosmonauts replacing?
Overview
On Tuesday, September 14th, two Russian cosmonauts began a planned six-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) to replace crucial hardware. The primary goal of the spacewalk is to replace a key antenna that communicates with Earth.
Details of the Mission
The cosmonauts, Oleg Novitskiy and Pyotr Dubrov, are both members of the current ISS crew. They will be venturing outside the Russian segment of the space station to replace an aging antenna that has malfunctioned. This antenna is critical to communication with ground control, as it facilitates two-way audio and video communications.
In addition to replacing the antenna, the cosmonauts will be carrying out a number of other tasks. They will be installing new equipment for science experiments, replacing a video camera, and performing maintenance on the station’s external systems.
The Importance of the Mission
Spacewalks are vital to the maintenance and upkeep of the ISS. The station constantly needs supplies and repairs, and astronauts and cosmonauts must venture outside to complete these tasks. It is essential that this work is carried out quickly, efficiently, and with the utmost care, as any mistakes could have catastrophic consequences.
Replacing the antenna is particularly important, as it is the station’s primary means of communication with Earth. Without it, the crew would be unable to communicate with ground control, and mission success would be jeopardized.
Conclusion
Although spacewalks are routine for astronauts and cosmonauts, they are still complex and challenging missions that require significant preparation and attention to detail. The current spacewalk, undertaken by Russian cosmonauts Novitskiy and Dubrov, will be critical to the ongoing success of the ISS. By replacing the key antenna and carrying out other maintenance tasks, they will ensure that the station remains operational and that the crew can continue their groundbreaking research in space.