Expedition 48 facts for kids
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| Mission type | ISS Expedition |
|---|---|
| Expedition | |
| Space Station | International Space Station |
| Began | 18 June 2016 05:52 UTC |
| Ended | 6 September 2016 UTC |
| Arrived aboard | Soyuz TMA-20M Soyuz MS-01 |
| Departed aboard | Soyuz TMA-20M Soyuz MS-01 |
| Crew | |
| Crew size | 6 |
| Members | Expedition 47/48: Aleksey Ovchinin Oleg Skripochka Jeffrey Williams Expedition 48/49: Kathleen Rubins Anatoli Ivanishin Takuya Onishi |
 Expedition 48 mission patch  (l-r) Skripochka, Williams, Ovchinin, Onishi, Ivanishin, Rubins ISS expeditions
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Expedition 48 was the 48th group of astronauts to live and work on the International Space Station (ISS). These missions are like long stays in space. Astronauts from different countries work together on the ISS.
This expedition started on June 18, 2016. It ended on September 6, 2016. During this time, astronauts performed many important tasks. They also conducted scientific experiments.
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Meet the Astronauts
The crew for Expedition 48 included six brave astronauts. Three of them, Jeffrey Williams, Aleksey Ovchinin, and Oleg Skripochka, were already on the ISS as part of Expedition 47.
Later, three more astronauts joined them. These were Kathleen Rubins, Anatoli Ivanishin, and Takuya Onishi. They arrived on a Soyuz MS-01 spacecraft.
Here's a look at the crew members:
| Position | Astronaut's Name | Space Agency | Number of Spaceflights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commander |  Jeffrey Williams |
NASA | Fourth |
| Flight Engineer 1 |  Aleksey Ovchinin |
RSA | First |
| Flight Engineer 2 | Oleg Skripochka |
RSA | Second |
| Flight Engineer 4 | Anatoli Ivanishin |
RSA | Second |
| Flight Engineer 5 |  Takuya Onishi |
JAXA | First |
| Flight Engineer 6 | Kathleen Rubins |
NASA | First |
Spacewalks During Expedition 48
Astronauts on the ISS often go on spacewalks. These are also called Extravehicular Activities (EVAs). Spacewalks are done to fix things or add new parts to the station. During Expedition 48, two important spacewalks took place.
First Spacewalk: Adding a New Docking Port
- When: August 19, 2016
- Who: Jeff Williams and Kate Rubins
- Duration: 5 hours and 58 minutes
The main goal of this spacewalk was to install a new part called the International Docking Adapter (IDA). This adapter is like a special parking spot for future spacecraft. It allows new types of spacecraft to connect to the ISS. They also installed cables for another IDA that would be added later.
Second Spacewalk: Fixing a Radiator and More
- When: September 1, 2016
- Who: Jeff Williams and Kate Rubins
- Duration: 6 hours and 48 minutes
This spacewalk had several important tasks:
- Radiator Repair: The main job was to fold back a thermal radiator. Radiators help cool the station. This one had been deployed to help with a coolant leak.
- Camera Installation: They put new high-definition video cameras on the outside of the station. These cameras help monitor the ISS.
- Checking Joints: The astronauts also checked and tightened bolts on the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ). This joint helps the solar panels track the sun.
- Other Tasks: They also secured protective blankets and handles to make sure they didn't get in the way of the station's moving parts.
These spacewalks are very important for keeping the International Space Station running smoothly. They allow astronauts to maintain and upgrade the station while floating in space!
See also
In Spanish: Expedición 48 para niños
