Astronauts swab ISS exterior for microorganisms

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 3, 2026

Astronauts Jessica Meir and Sophie Adenot completed a nearly seven-hour spacewalk outside the ISS to collect microbial samples, install a new navigation reflector, and replace a high-resolution camera. This activity supports research on the station’s external microbial environment and enhances the safety and efficiency of future spacecraft dockings.

Two astronauts conducted a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday, spending nearly seven hours collecting samples from the station’s exterior to search for microorganisms, NASA reported.

US astronaut Jessica Meir and French astronaut Sophie Adenot, who is part of the European Space Agency (ESA), carried out the operation. In addition to taking swab samples from the outside surface of the ISS, the pair installed a new reflector designed to aid spacecraft in navigation during approach and docking procedures. They also replaced a high-resolution camera during the extravehicular activity.

During the spacewalk, Adenot experienced a brief difficulty with the movement of her left arm. NASA explained that a cable connected to her glove heating system had become tangled, restricting her mobility. The issue was addressed and resolved before the astronauts re-entered the airlock.

The spacewalk contributes to ongoing scientific efforts to understand the microbial environment of the station’s exterior, which has implications for future missions and spacecraft maintenance. The installation of the new reflector and camera upgrades aims to improve operational efficiency and safety for upcoming dockings at the ISS.

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