Imagine floating in the void of space, tinkering with cutting-edge science while shedding outdated tech—sounds like a plot from a sci-fi blockbuster, right? But this is the real deal happening aboard the International Space Station, where routine maintenance meets groundbreaking innovation. Dive into the latest chapter of human exploration, where Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky pulled off an impressive feat during their spacewalk. And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about the tools they used, but the delicate dance with Earth's gravity (or lack thereof) that could revolutionize how we make everyday electronics. But here's where it gets controversial—ditching hardware into orbit might seem wasteful to some, sparking debates on space sustainability. Let's break it down step by step, making even the trickiest concepts accessible for space enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Sergey Ryzhikov, commander of Expedition 73, and his crewmate Alexey Zubritsky, both representatives of Russia's Roscosmos space agency, successfully wrapped up their inaugural joint extravehicular activity—or EVA, as space pros call it—at 7:19 p.m. EDT on Thursday, October 16. They sealed the hatch of the Poisk module's airlock after embarking on this orbital adventure at 1:10 p.m. EDT, clocking in a total time of 6 hours and 9 minutes. For beginners, think of an EVA as a carefully planned hike outside the station, where astronauts don spacesuits to perform tasks in the harsh vacuum of space, far from the comforts of Earth's atmosphere.
Kitted out with their specialized equipment, the duo ventured to their initial job site near the Nauka multipurpose lab module. Ryzhikov clung to the Ekran-M experiment—short for Molecular Beam Epitaxy—while being maneuvered by the European Robotic Arm, controlled from inside the station by fellow cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. Together, they attached this cylindrical device, connected its power lines, and set up a replaceable component holder. This setup is designed to showcase how space's microgravity environment can create ultra-thin materials that are notoriously hard to produce reliably back on Earth. In microgravity, which is essentially weightlessness (imagine floating freely without gravity's pull, as detailed in space science explanations), particles settle and grow differently, potentially yielding semiconductors—like those in your smartphones—that are more precise and efficient. For example, this could lead to faster, more energy-efficient chips for electronics, bridging the gap between space tech and our daily gadgets.
With their main objective accomplished, Ryzhikov and Zubritsky shifted gears to the Zvezda service module. Here, they detached and discarded a high-definition television camera, a relic from a past Canadian commercial mission. Zubritsky positioned himself at the end of the European Robotic Arm and gently released the camera toward the station's rear, sending it on a one-way journey to ensure it wouldn't rebound and pose any risk to the orbiting lab.
'It is going so well,' Zubritsky communicated via radio as the camera vanished into Earth's shadowed silhouette. 'Jettison is complete.'
Weighing about 180 pounds (82 kilograms) and measuring roughly 2 by 4.6 by 2.3 feet (0.6 by 1.4 by 0.7 meters), this equipment is destined to reenter Earth's atmosphere and disintegrate harmlessly upon impact—a process explained by atmospheric science, where friction with air molecules causes objects to burn up. But here's where it gets controversial: Is tossing 'trash' into space the best practice, or should we prioritize zero-waste orbits to protect our planet's fragile space environment? Some argue it's necessary for station upkeep, while others worry about contributing to orbital debris that could endanger future missions.
The cosmonauts didn't stop there; they gave a window on the service module a thorough cleaning before returning via the Poisk module, where they also collected a set of exposed material sample experiments to bring indoors.
This Thursday outing marked the second spacewalk for Expedition 73 and the 276th in the history of International Space Station upkeep and construction since its inception in 1998. It was Zubritsky's debut EVA, while Ryzhikov added to his experience, now totaling 12 hours and 57 minutes across his two ventures.
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And this is the part most people miss: What if these experiments pave the way for manufacturing in space, turning the ISS into a cosmic factory? But do you think jettisoning items is an acceptable trade-off for progress, or should stricter regulations curb such practices? Share your thoughts in the comments below—agree, disagree, or add your own twist on space ethics!
Robert Pearlman, a seasoned space historian and journalist, founded and edits collectSPACE.com, a vibrant hub for daily space news and community discussions that blend exploration with pop culture. He's also a contributor to Space.com and co-author of the Smithsonian-published book 'Space Stations: The Art, Science, and Reality of Working in Space,' released in 2018. Pearlman's accolades include induction into the U.S. Space Camp Hall of Fame in 2009, the American Astronautical Society's Ordway Award for Sustained Excellence in Spaceflight History in 2021, and the National Space Club Florida Committee's Kolcum News and Communications Award in 2023 for his outstanding storytelling on space topics worldwide.
