Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky.
Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky successfully completed their spacewalk, spending 6 hours and 11 minutes outside the International Space Station (ISS). Their work was broadcast live by Roscosmos, the Russian space agency.
The primary objective of the extravehicular activity (EVA) was the installation of the `Ekran-M` equipment on the Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM). This apparatus is designed for the Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) experiment, which will enable the cultivation of semiconductors directly in the vacuum of open space.
In addition to the main task, the crew performed several supplementary operations. They dismantled a high-resolution HRC camera from the Zvezda module and released it into space. They also cleaned porthole #1 on the Zvezda module and retrieved a cassette-container from the Poisk module.
Detailed Spacewalk Operations
The cosmonauts opened the hatch of the Poisk Small Research Module-2 on the evening of October 16. Subsequently, they utilized the ERA robotic manipulator to move and install the MBE research unit onto the Nauka module, connecting all necessary cables.
During the preparation of the equipment, the cosmonauts encountered an unforeseen challenge: a locking nut was inadvertently left on one of the ejector bolts of the `Ekran-M` cover. Ryzhikov and Zubritsky took some time to find the right tool, eventually using specialized pliers, informally dubbed `dinosaurs` by experts, to remove it. Opening the cover was crucial for creating the deep vacuum required for the experiment`s success.
Alexander Nikiforov, head of the laboratory at the Institute of Semiconductor Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and chief designer of the `Ekran-M` project, stated during the broadcast that he and his team watched the process `with bated breath.` He confirmed that all tasks were performed by the cosmonauts according to plan.
Following this, the cosmonauts proceeded to the HRC monoblock, dismantled it, and moved it to the vicinity of porthole #1 on the Zvezda module. There, they safely pushed the camera monoblock into open space before cleaning the porthole. Dmitry Akhmerov, chief specialist of EVA at Rocket and Space Corporation (RSC) `Energia,` explained that the station`s portholes periodically become contaminated by combustion products from the station`s thruster fuel, which is used to maintain its orbit.
Ryzhikov and Zubritsky then returned to the Poisk module, retrieved a removable cassette-container, and placed it into a sealed container. This cassette holds material samples whose property changes in the space environment are being studied by scientists. After completing all operations, the cosmonauts successfully returned to the ISS, and the Poisk module hatch was closed early on October 17.
First Spacewalk of 2025
This marks the first spacewalk for Russian cosmonauts in 2025. Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky wore new `Orlan-MKS` spacesuits, specifically numbers 6 and 7, which had been delivered to the ISS in March and September 2025, respectively, and had not been used before.
Earlier, Sergey Ryzhikov announced that he and Zubritsky had two spacewalks planned for October. During the broadcast, it was mentioned that the next spacewalk is scheduled in approximately two weeks, but a precise date has not yet been announced.
