Beyond the hull: how astronauts maintain the International Space Station

Space · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Maintaining an orbital outpost requires more than just internal repairs. From installing experimental laser systems to swabbing the station's exterior for microorganisms, crew members must step into the void to ensure the station's continued operation and scientific success.

Spacewalks are essential for the assembly and maintenance of the International Space Station. During Expedition 36, Flight Engineers Fyodor Yurchikhin and Alexander Misurkin utilized Russian Orlan spacesuits to perform critical tasks. Their work on August 16 involved installing an experimental panel on the Poisk module and preparing for a new Russian laboratory module. This specific mission marked the 172nd spacewalk conducted to support the station's complex infrastructure.

The intensity of these operations can vary significantly. For instance, the Expedition 75 crew experienced a particularly busy month, completing four spacewalks in a single month. On September 1, astronauts Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency and Jessica Meir of NASA spent six hours and 49 minutes outside the station. Their objectives included installing a spacecraft navigation aid, preparing a cosmic particle detector, and swabbing the station's exterior to check for microorganisms.

The complexity of these missions extends to the ground and the station's interior. While astronauts are outside, flight engineers like Anil Menon manage critical support tasks, such as refilling spacesuit water tanks and downlinking helmet camera footage. On the station itself, crew members like Anna Kikina and Pyotr Dubrov manage a variety of duties, ranging from checking scientific equipment and carbon dioxide monitoring hardware to inspecting windows within the Zvezda and Nauka modules. These coordinated efforts ensure that both the structural integrity and the scientific capabilities of the orbital outpost remain intact.

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