The Press Stories
The story was written CBS News & Used with permission
Two Russian astronauts suitable for a space outside the International Space Station on Wednesday began preparing the Birs aircraft and docking box for next year’s disposal to create a way to connect the new laboratory module.
Starting at 9:30 a.m. EST, it will be valid as an aircraft to future Russian space routes after removing its old number using the go-dock on the opposite side of the station from Birz.
The space shuttle comes two days after the arrival of four astronauts aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon merchant ship, which will be carried out by Expedition 64 Commander Sergei Ryzykov and Sergei Kut-Sverkov, both making their first missions outside the space station.
To identify, Raisikov will use a space suit with calligraphy EV-1, red stripes and helmet camera 20, while Good-Sverkov, EV-2 will use a suit with blue stripes and helmet cam 18.
Almost identical to Birs, Boeing was launched almost 11 years ago, on November 10, 2009, and two days later connected to the upper port of the Svesta block. It was used several times as a docking port for unplanned advance cargo carriers and Soyuz crew ships, but never by air.
Before going outside, the astronauts planned to spend an hour making sure that the Boisekin’s never-used side hatch could be safely opened and closed tightly with an airtight seal, and that the box was vacuum or near when the hatch going into the station’s main body leaked for free.
Wearing their Orlan spaceships, Ryzhikov and Good-Sverkov initially planned to reduce Boise to some extent to leak checks. NASA employee Kate Rubins will carry out similar tests from within the Russian division of the station.
The astronauts will then take Boise to the vacuum, opening the side space package for the first time in block history and inspecting its seals for signs of foreign object debris or damage. Spare sealing material is available if required.
They plan to run additional leak checks on the hatch lid before reopening it to launch the 232nd space dedicated to station assembly and maintenance, the eighth station EVA so far this year.
The first item on the agenda is the installation of a new pump to circulate fluids in the first block of the station, the Russian Zaria block, which was launched on November 20, 20 years ago.
The astronauts would then retrieve an object science space exposure plate from the Birs module and disconnect the telemetry cable. The cable will be reconnected to Boise, starting the process of ending the use of Birs as an aircraft.
After cleaning a window in the Swesta module, the astronauts will modify a rocket bloom impingement detector and retrieve a test tray to help engineers assess the micrometeroid impacts. Their ultimate task is to photograph the exterior of the Russian section.
