This week, from June 9 through June 13, the International Space Station (ISS) experienced a lighter workload due to the unexpected delay of a visiting crew just before launch. This allowed the Expedition 73 team to focus on important science and maintenance tasks while also taking time to reflect on personal milestones during their seventh week in orbit.
Expedition 73 flight engineer Jonny Kim, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and medical doctor turned NASA astronaut, shared his thoughts on the challenges of working in the unique environment of space. On June 12, Kim took to social media to describe his experience maintaining the ISS's science racks, which are roughly the size of a refrigerator. He detailed the tasks of cleaning air filters, examining seals, and swapping out chipsets for the laboratory's network servers. Despite the invaluable support from Mission Control via live video, Kim noted the difficulty of keeping track of tools in a zero-gravity environment. “One thing I’ve come to appreciate with maintenance in space is how much gravity helps keep things where they belong,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for careful planning before each action.
This week, the crew conducted several significant research projects aboard the ISS:
Ultrasound 2: NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Myers, together with Expedition 73 commander Takuya Onishi from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), used a biomedical ultrasound device to perform eye exams. These scans aimed to assess whether prolonged time in space has impacted their eye structures. Solid Combustion Experiment Module: Onishi also replaced sample cartridges as part of a fire experiment in Japan's Kibo laboratory, which aims to enhance safety for astronauts living and working beyond Earth. Landmark Observation: Flight engineer Kirill Peskov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos set up cameras to capture landmarks across Asia and Europe. Meanwhile, cosmonaut Alexey Zubritskiy prepared equipment to measure neutron radiation caused by solar flares and gamma-ray bursts, contributing to research on the effects on spacecraft.In addition to scientific research, the Expedition 73 crew dedicated time to crucial maintenance of the ISS systems:
Enhanced European Exploration Exercise Device (E4D): Onishi and Kim applied grease to this device, which is being evaluated for potential use on future lunar missions. The E4D simulates various exercises, including cycling and rowing, to keep astronauts fit. Waste and Hygiene Compartment: McClain worked in the Tranquility Node 3 module to drain the tanks for the U.S. segment's restroom facilities. Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU): Inside the Quest airlock, astronaut Nichole Ayers serviced one of the U.S. spacesuits and cleaned the metal oxide containers used to scrub carbon dioxide during spacewalks.Additional maintenance tasks included monitoring the ISS's decibel levels, checking water quality, and clearing vents of floating debris, ensuring a safe and functional living environment for the crew.
This week also marked personal celebrations for astronaut Anne McClain, who observed two significant birthdays. On June 7, she celebrated her 46th birthday, receiving cards, gifts, and a cake from her crewmates. On June 12, she spoke with Dan Driscoll, Secretary of the U.S. Army, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Army's founding. As an active colonel, McClain expressed pride in representing the Army, highlighting its role as an “army of innovators, leaders, and problem solvers.”
The week began with Sergey Ryzhikov inspecting hatch seals in the Russian segment of the ISS, addressing ongoing concerns about air leaks from the Zvezda service module. Although the leak has been contained, NASA and Axiom Space decided to postpone the launch of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew to allow for further assessments and potential repairs. A new launch date for former astronaut Peggy Whitson and her crew, which includes three astronauts from India, Hungary, and Poland, is yet to be determined.
As of June 13, the ISS is home to a crew of seven:
Takuya Onishi (JAXA, Commander) Anne McClain (NASA, Flight Engineer) Nichole Ayers (NASA, Flight Engineer) Jonny Kim (NASA, Flight Engineer) Kirill Peskov (Roscosmos, Flight Engineer) Sergey Ryzhikov (Roscosmos, Flight Engineer) Alexey Zubritskiy (Roscosmos, Flight Engineer)Currently, the ISS is hosting two crewed spacecraft: SpaceX's Dragon Endurance, docked at the forward port of the Harmony module, and Roscosmos' Soyuz MS-27, connected to the Earth-facing port of the Prichal node. Additionally, there are two cargo spacecraft: Progress MS-29 (90P) at the space-facing port of the Poisk module and Progress MS-30 (91P) at the aft port of the Zvezda service module.
