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Russia cosmonauts install on ISS additional anti-meteorite shields

Padalka and Malenchenko launched the Sfera microsatellite that is intended for developing mathematical methods of measuring atmospheric drag by ground-base equipment

KOROLEV (Moscow Region), August 21 (Itar-Tass) — Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Yuri Malenchenko who work on the International Space Station (ISS) under the Russian program have installed on the Zvezda module additional anti-meteorite shields a spokesman for the Mission Control Centre (MCC) outside Moscow reported.

Before that the cosmonauts moved the cargo boom manipulator arm from the Pirs docking module to the Zarya module for ensuring its further convenient use. Padalka and Malenchenko also launched the Sfera (Sphere) microsatellite that is intended for developing mathematical methods of measuring atmospheric drag by ground-base equipment.

The cosmonauts also have the task to take from the exterior surface of the Pirs docking module some samples of materials of the Biorisk experiment that stayed there for a long time for studying the effects of space radiation, and bring them to the station for the following delivery to Earth.

The cosmonauts are also to dismantle the removable cassette container from the Pirs docking and take it to the ISS. There are various construction materials in this container.

In addition, Padalka and Malenchenko are to install an outboard working station on the Pirs docking module.

The Russian cosmonauts opened the hatches of the Pirs docking module and their spacewalk 19:37, Moscow time, Monday. They have worked in outer space for more than five hours.