Roscosmos Spacewalk to Boost Research and ISS Maintenance

Two cosmonauts from Roscosmos are gearing up for a crucial extravehicular activity outside the International Space Station, aimed at advancing scientific research and supporting the station’s upkeep. This important operation is planned for Wednesday, May 27, contributing significantly to ongoing experiments and maintenance efforts aboard the orbital outpost.

Watch The Event Live

NASA will provide a live broadcast beginning at 9:45 a.m. EDT via NASA+, Amazon Prime, and its YouTube channel. The spacewalk is anticipated to start around 10:15 a.m. EDT and will last for approximately five hours, offering viewers a detailed insight into the complex tasks astronauts handle in the weightless environment of space. Coverage will also be available on multiple online platforms, including NASA’s various social media outlets, allowing audiences worldwide to follow this vital mission in real time.

Two cosmonauts will exit the space station for a spacewalk at 10:15am ET on Wednesday, May 27, live on @NASA+. The duo will install a solar radiation experiment and remove other scientific hardware. https://t.co/wgUTCv4LMf

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— International Space Station (@Space_Station) May 22, 2026

Mission Objectives and Activities

The main focus of this spacewalk is to set up a solar radiation experiment on the Zvezda service module. This equipment will collect data on solar radiation, helping researchers understand its effects on the station’s systems and crew members, with implications for future missions venturing beyond Earth’s orbit. The cosmonauts will also dismantle additional scientific instruments from the Poisk and Nauka modules to keep the station’s research facilities running smoothly. If time permits, they plan to photograph the Progress 94 cargo ship’s Kurs rendezvous antennas, which did not deploy properly after its launch in March, emphasizing the necessity of constant maintenance in space.

The Team and Their Gear

Expedition 74 commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and flight engineer Sergei Mikaev will carry out the outing. This will be Kud-Sverchkov’s second spacewalk and Mikaev’s first. Following standard identification practice, Kud-Sverchkov will be suited in a spacesuit with red stripes, while Mikaev will don a suit with blue stripes. This mission marks the 279th spacewalk dedicated to assembling, maintaining, and upgrading the International Space Station, showcasing the extensive effort behind humanity’s sustained presence in orbit.

Expedition 74 worked new cancer and blood‑clotting research on Wednesday while unpacking @SpaceX Dragon cargo and prepping for an upcoming spacewalk. More… https://t.co/tB0z4NCX7b pic.twitter.com/KfwY4Me5sj
— International Space Station (@Space_Station) May 20, 2026

Scientific and Operational Significance

Such spacewalks are essential for both advancing science and maintaining the integrity of the space station’s systems. Deploying radiation monitoring devices and managing scientific hardware ensures that the ISS operates smoothly while also allowing collection of critical information necessary for planning missions further into space. Every maneuver in the vacuum of space demands careful coordination and rigorous training, highlighting the balance between exploration and the upkeep required to sustain human activity beyond Earth.