Roscosmos announced that the planned extravehicular activity by the Russian cosmonauts, originally scheduled for late April, has been pushed to the early days of May. The decision was shared by state space agencies and indicated there is a need for additional review before the mission proceeds, ensuring all procedures and safety checks are fully in place before astronauts step into vacuum. The postponement highlights the careful approach space programs take when evaluating mission readiness and risk factors, even as crews prepare for a demanding walk outside the station to conduct critical tasks.
Official updates explained that the two cosmonauts, Sergei Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin, were in the final stages of preparation for the spacewalk. Ground teams coordinated timelines, suit checks, and compatibility with the station’s life support systems, ensuring every safety protocol is met. The situation underscores how a spacewalk is a complex, multi-team operation that requires synchronization between ground control and on-orbit astronauts, with precision timing and contingency planning built into every step of the process.
Earlier communications had noted that Prokopyev and Petelin were actively involved with systems aboard the orbital platform and were preparing to undertake tasks that would enhance the station’s capabilities. These tasks typically involve maintenance, installation or upgrades of external components, and sometimes the relocation or replacement of hardware to improve thermal management, power distribution, or overall station performance. The crew’s focus remains on executing necessary work to keep the complex running smoothly while minimizing risk to personnel and hardware.
In a separate update, there were initial reports suggesting that the two cosmonauts had suffered fatal injuries during prior activities. Those accounts were later clarified, with officials confirming that the mission team continued to monitor the situation and proceed with planned operations as circumstances allowed. The incident underscored how quickly information can evolve during spaceflight, and how the international space community relies on timely, accurate communications from mission control and partner agencies to keep the public informed without compromising safety or mission integrity. The engineering teams also worked to support the mission by transferring and integrating key hardware between modules to maintain and improve environmental and radiative protection for crew members aboard the station.
Additionally, it was conveyed that Vladimir Putin acknowledged the achievements of cosmonaut Pyotr Dubrov by bestowing the title of Hero of Russia, reflecting recognition at the highest levels for outstanding contributions to space exploration. The award highlights the enduring tradition of honoring astronauts who push the boundaries of human spaceflight and contribute to cooperative ventures in space science and exploration.