Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub launched the Parus-MSTU student satellite as part of an experiment to study motion using solar sails during a spacewalk. The broadcast was transmitted through the Roscosmos website, keeping observers informed in real time.
The mission used a purpose-built launch device developed with the participation of MSTU students. After release, the crew will monitor the solar sail as it unfurls in the vacuum of space. By adjusting the sail’s length, which is continually exposed to streams of solar particles, the thrust generated can be varied to influence the satellite’s orbit. This hands-on approach provides valuable data on sail dynamics, materials performance, and control algorithms under real solar conditions.
The launch device itself was a collaborative result from MSTU students, illustrating the role of academic involvement in advancing space-ready technologies and testing concepts in orbit. The project demonstrates how student innovation can contribute to practical experiments that inform larger aerospace programs.
Earlier reports noted that Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub had already entered orbit to deactivate the radiator-heat exchanger circuits of the multi-purpose laboratory module Science, part of Russia’s evolving orbital infrastructure. The maintenance task showcases routine capabilities required for long-duration missions and the reconfiguration of onboard systems to support ongoing research.
Following these activities, Kononenko and Chub are expected to install a compact radar instrument to monitor Earth’s surface from the Nauka MLM module. If schedule permits, they may also replace retaining plates that secure the cables in the Zvezda module, highlighting ongoing assembly, maintenance, and optimization of space station components.
In a broader context, the Russian program continues to explore ambitious ideas in satellite technology, including proposals for perpetual-motion concepts intended to support future orbital systems. While such ideas require rigorous verification, they reflect Russia’s interest in pushing boundaries and refining the tools used to sustain operations at the edge of space.