A Pioneering Week in Space

Mission accomplished! The Expedition 72 team aboard the International Space Station (ISS) wrapped up a thrilling week filled with spacesuit upgrades and essential biomedical research. As some astronauts adapted to the challenges of microgravity, others made preparations for their eventual journey back to Earth.

Revamped Spacesuits for the Future

On Friday, NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers took the lead in enhancing two spacesuits, installing cutting-edge display and control modules within the Quest airlock. These state-of-the-art liquid crystal electronics deliver real-time diagnostics, providing astronauts with crucial suit performance data during extravehicular activities.

New Faces, New Tasks

Fresh arrival Jonny Kim, who joined the ISS on April 8 aboard Soyuz MS-27, quickly adapted to life in space. Working alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky, Kim has jumped right into routine maintenance and scientific tasks. Just this week, he tackled vital plumbing operations in the Tranquility module, while Ryzhikov and Zubritsky engaged in groundbreaking physiological research, investigating how zero gravity impacts respiratory patterns and circulatory functions.

Training for Transition

As veteran astronaut Don Pettit approaches the finale of his mission, he has begun transferring crucial responsibilities to the new crew members. He provided hands-on training for using the advanced resistive exercise device—an essential tool for maintaining physique in the weightless environment.

Countdown to Return

Commanding the station, Alexey Ovchinin and Flight Engineer Ivan Vagner, both part of the crew since September 2024, are rehearsing descent techniques ahead of their anticipated return to Earth on April 19 aboard Soyuz MS-26. They will be making their descent from the Rassvet module, ultimately landing in Kazakhstan—an exciting conclusion to Expedition 72.

Innovative Experiments in Space

Earlier, Pettit also participated in a one-of-a-kind student-designed experiment, observing how frozen droplets made of water, salt solutions, and olive oil behave in the unique environment of space. Additionally, he utilized ultrasound technology to scan JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, focusing on vascular changes in the neck, shoulders, and legs to deepen our understanding of how the human body adjusts to prolonged weightlessness.

Testing New Technologies for Earth

Meanwhile, Ovchinin and Vagner collaborated with Roscosmos Flight Engineer Kirill Peskov to test an innovative lower body negative pressure suit. This groundbreaking technology simulates gravitational effects by drawing bodily fluids downward, potentially alleviating intracranial pressure and easing astronauts' re-entry into Earth's gravity.