After computer-simulated robotic training, NASA astronauts will install another ISS solar array on Thursday.
Three cosmonauts are also planning for a spacewalk next week to replace hardware and examine modules. The station had regular maintenance and health checks.
Today, four Expedition 69 astronauts trained computer-simulated robotic movements for a spacewalk on Thursday, June 15. Three cosmonauts are preparing for another spacewalk from the Roscosmos section of the ISS next week.
The spacewalkers will install the orbiting outpost’s sixth roll-out solar array on the starboard truss section opposite the fifth array they deployed on Friday, June 9. NASA TV will stream the spacewalk on its app and website at 7:30 a.m.
NASA’s app and website will stream the spacewalk at 7:30 a.m.
On Tuesday afternoon, Bowen and Hoburg joined NASA Flight Engineer Frank Rubio and UAE Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi for computer-based robotics training.
The quartet conducted Canadarm2 robotic arm motions to help Bowen and Hoburg remove the roll-out solar array from its flight support equipment and place it on the starboard truss.
The two spacewalkers prepped their gear in the Quest airlock, printed checklists for their spacesuit cuffs, and studied spacewalk protocols on a computer.
Bowen and Hoburg scanned Rubio and Alneyadi’s eyes with optometrist-grade equipment at the conclusion of the day. Rubio and Alneyadi first serviced workout equipment and orbital plumbing hardware.
Commander Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin prepared for a June 22 spacewalk all day Tuesday. The pair found tools and examined procedures for exiting the orbiting outpost’s Poisk airlock next week.
Next week’s spacewalk will see the two cosmonauts upgrade communications and science hardware and photograph the Zvezda service module.
Roscosmos Flight Engineer Andrey Fedyaev spent Tuesday fixing Zvezda’s Elektron oxygen generator and replacing Nauka research module smoke alarms. Fedyaev used the innovative resistance exercise gadget at night while ground specialists observed his form and hardware operations.