Russian cosmonauts rushed back inside ISS mid-spacewalk due to spacesuit battery voltage drop
Cosmonauts were ‘never in any danger’ during the operations, Nasa says
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Russian cosmonauts Oleg Artemyev and Denis Matveev cut short their planned spacewalk on Wednesday and returned to the International Space Station (ISS) due to a spacesuit malfunction.
During the Expedition 67 spacewalk on 17 August, the cosmonauts were expected to install cameras on the European robotic arm, and relocate an external control panel for the arm from one operating area to another.
They were also planning to test a mechanism on the arm that will be used to facilitate the grasping of payloads, according to Nasa.
This was Mr Artemyev’s seventh spacewalk in his career, and the third for Mr Matveev.
It was also the seventh spacewalk at the station in 2022, and the 252nd for space station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.
But just as the duo completed the installation of two cameras on the 11m (36 ft) European robotic arm, Russian flight controllers instructed them to quickly return inside after Mr Artemyev’s Orlan spacesuit started showing “abnormal battery readings”.
Mission Control-Moscow instructed Mr Artemyev to return just two hours into the planned 6 and a half-hour spacewalk and connect to the space station’s power supply.
The European robotic arm has been placed in a safe configuration, Nasa said, adding that the cosmonauts were “never in any danger” during the operations despite the battery power issue.
Mr Matveev remained outside for about an hour, completing some final clean-up activities outside of the ISS, and then safely returned.
“You know, the start was so excellent,” Mr Matveev told the Associated Press.
“Additional spacewalks are planned to continue outfitting the European robotic arm and to activate Nauka’s airlock for future spacewalks,” Nasa noted in an update.
The robotic arm is expected to be used to move spacewalkers and payloads around the Russian segment of the station.
Meanwhile, Nasa spacewalks have been on hold for several months.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments