Cargo ships, expandables and spacewalks: ISS in 2016

Cargo ships, expandables and spacewalks: ISS in 2016

Between cargo ships servicing the outpost and spacewalks to maintain it, 2016 was arguably one of the busiest years for the International Space Station since the end of the space shuttle era.

Probably the most visible event for the space station in 2016 was the yearlong crew – NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko – returning to Earth. They had launched to the outpost on March 27, 2015.

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ISS spacewalkers retract thermal radiator, install HD cameras

ISS spacewalkers retract thermal radiator, install HD cameras

Two members of Expedition 48, NASA astronauts Jeff Williams and Kate Rubins, ventured outside the station for the second time in as many weeks. Their task was to retract an unused thermal radiator, install a new light bulb and attach high definition cameras on the truss of the International Space Station.

The Sept. 1 spacewalk started at 7:53 a.m. EDT (11:53 GMT), after the Quest airlock had completely depressurized and the two astronauts spacesuits' switched to battery power. Williams was designated the lead spacewalker, EV-1, and wore red stripes on his suit. Comparatively, Rubins, EV-2, wore white stripes.

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