Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) recently completed a week of robotics and exercise studies aimed at improving future planetary exploration and safeguarding crew health.
NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers works inside the International Space Station’s Tranquility module, swapping out a remote power controller module and inspecting components on the Avionics Rack. Image Credit: NASA
The work included testing methods for operating robots from space and examining how microgravity affects both physical performance and digestion.
Background
As NASA prepares for deeper exploration of the solar system, the ISS serves as a testbed for the technologies and health protocols that will make such missions possible.
One area of focus is robotics—specifically, enabling astronauts to control surface robots from orbit, reducing the need for high-risk spacewalks. Another is human physiology, with exercise studies designed to protect cardiovascular and muscular health during extended stays in microgravity.
Pushing Forward in Planetary Robotics and Exercise Science
NASA Flight Engineer Jonny Kim led tests of space-to-ground robotic control, experimenting with touchscreens, haptic feedback, and virtual reality systems. The goal is to perfect techniques that would let astronauts deploy and operate robots on asteroids, the Moon, or Mars, without ever leaving the safety of their spacecraft. Such systems could also prove valuable back on Earth, from disaster relief to work in hazardous environments.
In parallel, exercise physiology research continued in the Destiny laboratory. Commander Takuya Onishi and Flight Engineer Nichole Ayers pedaled the station’s cycle ergometer while sensors tracked heart and respiratory rates. The data will help refine workout protocols to counteract the muscle loss and bone density decline caused by microgravity.
Flight Engineer Anne McClain also tested the advanced resistive exercise device (ARED), which simulates weightlifting in space, while wearing a Bio-Monitor to capture detailed physiological data—vital information for keeping astronauts mission-ready on future Mars voyages.
Crew Transition and Ongoing Science
Alongside these research efforts, Expedition 73 has been preparing for a major crew transition—a critical step in keeping ISS operations running smoothly. As Crew-10 nears the end of their five-month mission, they’ve begun packing the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, rehearsing reentry procedures, and finalizing departure plans with NASA and SpaceX teams. Their work in orbit has yielded valuable insights into human adaptation to space, feeding directly into future mission planning.
Meanwhile, Crew-11 is completing pre-launch activities at Johnson Space Center ahead of their July 31 liftoff. Once aboard the ISS, they will continue key research, including digestion studies led by Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky.
Using ultrasound scans, they investigate how microgravity affects nutrient absorption and gut function, which are critical factors for astronaut health on long missions. Ryzhikov also performed electrical inspections in the Nauka module, while Zubritsky captured Earth observation images, underscoring the station’s role as a hub for multidisciplinary science.
Looking Ahead
This week’s robotics trials marked progress toward operating planetary surface robots from orbit, while exercise studies brought new insights into preserving health in space. As Crew-10 prepares for their return and Crew-11 readies to launch, the handover ensures continuity in critical research. The knowledge gained aboard the ISS is helping NASA refine mission protocols, protect astronaut health, and streamline crew operations—laying the groundwork for sustainable exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
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