On October 28, 2025, Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky conducted a demanding extravehicular activity (EVA), lasting approximately six hours and 28 minutes, outside the International Space Station (ISS). This spacewalk, launched from the Russian segment’s Poisk Module, involved installing key scientific equipment and performing maintenance tasks on the station’s exterior, continuing Russia’s crucial contribution to ongoing orbital research.
The primary objective was to install the Impulse plasma injector experiment on the Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module. This cutting-edge equipment is designed to study the interaction of plasma with Earth’s ionosphere from orbit, providing vital data for understanding space weather phenomena such as geomagnetic storms and solar flares, which can impact satellites and communications on Earth.
Additionally, the cosmonauts replaced the cartridge of the Ekran-M semiconductor growth experiment, an important component for investigating crystal growth in microgravity conditions. They also cleaned one of the Nauka module’s portholes, restoring clarity essential for scientific observations and station operations. Another notable task was relocating the external control panel of the European Robotic Arm (ERA), which enhances maneuverability over the station’s external infrastructure.
This spacewalk marked Ryzhikov’s third and Zubritsky’s second career EVA. Both are part of Expedition 73, with Ryzhikov serving as the current ISS commander. The duo previously undertook a similar spacewalk on October 16, 2025, during which they installed semiconductor research equipment and removed obsolete external hardware.
In a statement from Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, the mission was described as “critical to advancing long-term scientific investigations and maintaining the ISS’s operational integrity.” NASA News Chief Cheryl Warner also noted, “Despite the ongoing U.S. government shutdown limiting full support, NASA has provided minimal commentary and livestreamed the event, underscoring international cooperation even amid political challenges.”
The continuous stream of spacewalks and external maintenance highlights the ISS’s status as a multi-national orbital laboratory, where astronauts and cosmonauts from different countries work together to conduct groundbreaking research. The experiments installed during this EVA will allow new insights into ionospheric physics and materials science, contributing to space exploration knowledge and improving satellite technology resilience.
Looking ahead, Russian cosmonauts plan additional spacewalks this year to further upgrade the station’s capabilities. The work done on October 28, 2025, is part of critical preparations for future scientific runs and maintaining the ISS’s aging infrastructure.
Summary and Next Steps:
The successful completion of this spacewalk by Ryzhikov and Zubritsky marks another chapter in the ongoing operation and scientific exploration conducted aboard the ISS. Data collected from the new experiments will enhance understanding of space environment effects on Earth and technology. As the ISS approaches further missions, the role of international crewmembers remains central to the advancement of humanity’s presence in space.
