The invisible chores that keep the International Space Station running

Space · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Beyond the grand imagery of orbital flight lies a relentless cycle of maintenance. From managing orbital plumbing to swapping radio gear in airlocks, the crew's daily reality is a complex blend of high-stakes biology research and the mundane necessity of repairing life-support hardware.

Life aboard the International Space Station is defined by a rigorous schedule of scientific inquiry and technical upkeep. During Expedition 7ally, NASA station commander Jessica Meir demonstrated the precision required for microgravity research. In the Destiny laboratory, she configured the Nikon Experimentation Microscope in Orbit (NEMO). This automated system allows scientists to image growing cells to study how microgravity influences disease, tissue development, and drug responses. The work extends to physics, as Meir also managed hardware used for crystal growth research within the Microgravity Science Glovebox, a process that could eventually impact semiconductor manufacturing on Earth.

However, the station's survival depends as much on plumbing as it does on microscopy. Flight engineer Jack Hathaway’s duties included maintaining orbital plumbing in the Tranquility module and managing cargo near the Unity module. Meanwhile, in the Quest airlock, flight engineer Anil Menon worked to ensure communication integrity by testing multiple frequency bands and confirming data transmission with ground controllers. The physical upkeep is constant; for instance, Meir was tasked with inspecting tethers used during a series of four spacewalks that occurred between August 6 and September 1.

The human element is maintained through both physical exercise and public engagement. To combat the effects of weightlessness, Roscosmos engineer Andrey Fedyaev utilized the treadmill in the Zvezda module and the advanced resistive exercise device in Tranquility. Simultaneously, the crew acts as ambassadors. ESA flight engineer Sophie Adenot recorded station tours in English and French to engage global audiences, while Roscosmos engineers Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina documented daily activities and inspected stowage areas in the Zarya and Nauka modules. Even as recently as January 16, NASA flight engineers Michael Hopkins and Rick Mastracchio used media interviews to share the realities of life in orbit.

The logistics of crew rotation add another layer of complexity. In a previous expedition, Michael Hopkins arrived in September and was scheduled to return in mid-March via a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, while Rick Mastracchio, who arrived in November, was set to depart two months later in a separate vehicle.

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