Advancing Research Through Spacewalk Technology

Quick Summary

• Astronauts conducted a spacewalk on May 1 to install hardware supporting the addition of a seventh roll-out solar array, increasing power production on the ISS by up to 30%.
• On January 20, 2025, crew members collected samples for the ISS External Microorganisms study to examine whether microorganisms expelled from station vents can survive in space. Insights could aid spacecraft and spacesuit design for future missions.
• the CSA’s EVA Radiation Monitoring investigated wireless dosimeters worn during spacewalks to measure radiation exposure. Findings indicate feasibility for monitoring astronaut body radiation levels and potential applications in cancer treatment on Earth.
• JAXA’s spaceskin experiment tested fabric durability with embedded sensors detecting damage from micrometeoroid impacts, with implications for improving spacesuits and habitats for lunar or Martian exploration.
• Experiments using the MISSE facility assessed materials exposed to space conditions. Notably:

– Apollo spacesuit fibers degraded due to abrasion and radiation effects during MISSE-7 testing, highlighting risks for extended Moon missions.
– Shear-thickening fluid-treated materials maintained mechanical properties after exposure during MISSE-9 tests, showing enhanced puncture resistance potential.

• SERFE tested a water evaporation-based technology as an choice cooling system for spacewalks that might be less prone to contamination compared to customary sublimation systems.
• The Nanoracks Bishop Airlock-a commercially operated airlock-streamlined equipment transfer processes and expanded commercial use of the ISS while enabling efficient satellite deployment.

Image/Video Link: Keeping Cool in Space

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Indian Opinion Analysis

India’s ambitions in space exploration are closely tied with international advancements, as demonstrated by ongoing research aboard the ISS-a facility relied upon globally as a knowledge repository of human ingenuity beyond Earth’s boundaries.From designing better spacesuits using innovative fabrics like those trialed under JAXA’s SpaceSkin project to applying lessons learned about material degradation (via experiments such as MISSE) toward ISRO’s lunar mission goals, India has opportunities ripe for collaboration and adaptation into its programs.

Radiation monitoring research performed by CSA emphasizes key safety challenges; any nation pursuing long-duration exploration must consider technologies minimizing health risks-India included-as it steps further into planetary endeavors like Gaganyaan or Chandrayaan projects.

findings on microorganism survival can help inform India’s planetary protection protocols (e.g., avoiding biological contamination during Mars mission efforts).Furthermore, enhancements like energy-efficient cooling systems (as developed under SERFE) may inspire cost-effective solutions across sectors including healthcare or industry if applied within India down certain contexts practically grounded post derivatively outside existing partnerships-as-an-option too.

As outer-space privatization grows-the impressive utility offered via Nanoracks infrastructure reshapes private agencies operating advantage cases fast-moving nations integrating orbital tech effectively early bridging both marks dependency-independence business flexibly future equity vision hands building locally-global-centered designs expanding frameworks shared economic astronomy times alike values ahead sustainable responsibly mutual-ready collaborations tapping latest firms leads next-ever Array folds-forward higher tqdm integrators retro-ready signatures follow-await sharper mutual-study map-bottom-layer deck-opens **[
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