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2018 Spacewalk by Russian Cosmonauts to Fix Soyuz Spacecraft

The High-Stakes Spacewalk of 2018

Oleg Kononenko's Mission

On December 11, 2018, Oleg Kononenko embarked on a critical mission alongside fellow cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev. Their objective was to conduct a complex spacewalk intended to repair a leak in the Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft, which had unexpectedly developed a hole.

Sergey Prokopyev's Role in the Mission

As part of the Russian space program, Sergey Prokopyev played a key role in this pivotal spacewalk, demonstrating bravery and skill as he assisted Kononenko in executing the repairs needed to ensure the safety of the ISS crew.

The Challenges Faced in Space

Spacewalk Preparation and Execution

The preparation for this spacewalk involved meticulous planning. The cosmonauts participated in extensive training to ensure they could handle the unexpected challenges presented by a vacuum environment and operate specialized tools in space.

The Successful Leak Repair

This critical repair involved applying a special sealant to the hole, effectively halting air leakage that posed a threat to the onboard crew's safety aboard the ISS. The mission lasted over seven hours and displayed the remarkable capabilities of human ingenuity in space.

Fun Fact

An Interesting Tidbit about Oleg Kononenko

Oleg Kononenko holds the record for the most time spent in space by any Russian, having completed multiple missions and accumulating a total of 553 days in orbit.

Additional Resources

Recommended Reading on Spacewalks and the ISS

For those interested in exploring more about spacewalks, consider books like The Astronaut Wives Club and Astrophysics for People in a Hurry. They offer insights into the space program and the lives of those who venture beyond our atmosphere.