AviationNews – Two Roscosmos cosmonauts are scheduled to perform a critical spacewalk on October 16 outside the International Space Station (ISS), with the primary goal of installing a molecular beam experiment on the new Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module. This effort significantly expands the ISS’s scientific capabilities.
The spacewalk, known as VKD-64, will see Expedition 73 Commander Sergey Ryzhikov and Flight Engineer Alexey Zubritsky venture into the vacuum of space. Their main task is to place the intricate hardware for the Ekran-M experiment on the exterior of the Nauka module, the primary laboratory addition to the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS). The cosmonauts will also remove a mounting platform for a commercial camera and perform window cleaning on the Zvezda Service Module, continuing the extensive outfitting work on the ROS.
Technically, the molecular beam experiment is a cutting-edge piece of hardware designed to study the deposition and production of semiconductors and other advanced materials in the near-perfect vacuum of low Earth orbit. The unique microgravity environment allows researchers to obtain materials with properties unattainable on Earth, which is vital for the future of microelectronics. During the operation, a third cosmonaut, Oleg Platonov, will remotely operate the European Robotic Arm (ERA) from inside the station to assist with the payload movement, highlighting international collaboration.
A Roscosmos representative, speaking on the importance of the work, emphasized, “Each spacewalk we conduct to integrate the Nauka module fundamentally enhances the ISS’s utility as a scientific platform. This molecular beam experiment specifically targets materials science, offering unique insights that could translate directly into breakthrough technologies both in space and on our planet.”
The successful installation of this equipment ensures the Nauka module fulfills its intended function as a top-tier space research facility, maintaining the station’s productive scientific tenure. This ongoing effort highlights the commitment of the partner nations to maximizing the ISS’s return on investment before its eventual retirement. The public can watch the operation live via NASA’s official YouTube channel.
The upcoming October 16 spacewalk is a pivotal moment for Roscosmos and ISS science operations, focusing on the critical installation of the Ekran-M molecular beam experiment on the Nauka module. This development dramatically expands the station’s capacity for advanced materials research, underscoring the ongoing value of orbital science for future technological progress.