The Expedition 72 team aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is in full swing, balancing scientific research, astronaut training, and preparation for two upcoming spacewalks aimed at enhancing the station’s capabilities. The crew’s efforts exemplify the critical collaboration and ingenuity required for space exploration.
NASA Flight Engineers Don Pettit and Nick Hague focused on advancing scientific understanding and ensuring the safety of future space missions. Pettit began his day collecting biological samples for storage in the station’s science freezer, contributing to ongoing studies on human health in microgravity. He then turned his attention to the Combustion Integrated Rack, swapping out experiment samples to study flame behavior in weightlessness. These findings are expected to improve fire safety protocols for long-duration missions.
Meanwhile, Hague participated in physiological studies by donning the Bio-Monitor vest and headband, which tracked his heart rate and respiration during exercise sessions. His data contributes to understanding how the human body adapts to the rigors of space.
Hague also teamed up with NASA Commander Suni Williams to prepare for a January 16 spacewalk. Together, they organized the Quest airlock and readied two spacesuits, ensuring they meet rigorous standards for safety and functionality. During the spacewalk, Hague and Williams will address a “light leak” on the NICER X-ray telescope and prepare the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer for upgrades.
A second spacewalk, scheduled for January 23, will involve removing radio communications gear and collecting samples to investigate potential microbial life on the station’s exterior. The details of the crew participating in this mission will be announced soon. Both events will be broadcast on NASA+, with pre-spacewalk coverage beginning at 5:30 a.m. EST on the respective days.
Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin made strides in external station maintenance during a seven-hour spacewalk with Flight Engineer Ivan Vagner on December 19. Ovchinin, maneuvered by the European robotic arm, installed a celestial X-ray experiment and removed outdated scientific hardware. Back inside the station, Ovchinin and fellow cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov conducted tests on advanced robotic piloting techniques, providing data for potential planetary exploration missions.
NASA Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore worked inside the Japanese Kibo laboratory, organizing space biology equipment and later conducting cargo operations in the Cygnus resupply ship. His day concluded with inventory checks in the Human Research Facilities, ensuring the station remains well-equipped for ongoing research.
The cooperative efforts of the Expedition 72 crew underscore the station’s role as a hub for international scientific discovery and technological advancement, paving the way for future missions beyond low Earth orbit. With meticulous preparations underway, the team is poised to execute critical repairs and upgrades, ensuring the ISS continues to serve as a cornerstone of human space exploration.
