Introduction
The International Space Station (ISS) has been home to SpaceX’s Crew-2 mission for over a month now, and the astronauts have been busy conducting spacewalks, experiments, and maintenance tasks. In the past week, the crew has accomplished several activities, including Dragon cargo transfer, installations, and eye exams.
Dragon Cargo Transfer
Astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur used the ISS’s robotic arm to capture and berth the Dragon spacecraft to the Harmony module. The spacecraft carried around 7,300 pounds of scientific experiments, spacewalk equipment, and supplies. The astronauts then began unloading the cargo to be stored at the ISS. The transfer process helps to keep the ISS well-stocked and allows the astronauts to conduct experiments without worrying about running out of supplies.
Installations
During their fourth and final spacewalk on Sunday, Crew-2 astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Thomas Pesquet installed new research equipment and hardware. The equipment will be used for a range of scientific experiments, including cancer research, plant physiology, fundamental physics, and astrobiology.
Eye Exams Cap
NASA astronaut and Crew-2 flight engineer, Megan McArthur, conducted an eye exam with the help of a specialized ultrasound machine called the AdaptX. The exam aimed to evaluate her vision and eye health during her time at the ISS. Such exams help to understand the effect of microgravity on the eyes, and it can help to mitigate any risks faced by the astronauts.
Conclusion
The Crew-2 mission continues to demonstrate its vital contributions to the scientific research and maintenance of the International Space Station. The team’s ability to conduct cargo transfer, installations, and eye exams highlights the crew’s competence in handling various tasks in space. As the mission progresses, we can expect more exciting activities and feats of science from the astronauts aboard the ISS.