WIKIARCHIVES.SPACE

In the Unity node of the International Space Station, cosmonaut Valery I. Tokarev, Expedition 12 flight engineer representing Russia's Federal Space Agency, puts finishing touches on an old Russian Orlan spacesuit that will be released by hand from the space station during a spacewalk Feb. 3, 2006. Outfitted with a special radio transmitter and other gear, the spacesuit comprises a Russian experiment called SuitSat. It will fly free from the station as a satellite in orbit for several weeks of scientific research and radio tracking, including communications by amateur radio operators. Eventually, it will enter the atmosphere and be destroyed.