On Thursday at 2:48 p.m., space station commander Sergei Volkov (35) and colleague Oleg Kononenko (44) started their six-hour spacewalk, with the objectives of unlocking one of the five connectors binding the Soyuz spacecraft modules and of removing an explosive bolt.

The two astronauts were firmly assured that there was no chance for the bolt to detonate and that the operations were necessary to increase the safety level of their trip back home this fall, inside the Soyuz capsule. It is believed that the bolts are faulty and during the re-entry, they tend to misfire, thus causing brutal capsule descends and off-course landings. The bolts make the connection between the crew’s compartment and the propulsion modules that must separate once the Soyuz re-enters the atmosphere.

Such inaccurate and potentially dangerous landings were experienced by crews returning to Earth in April and October and since the last time it happened, everybody has been trying to figure out the reasons. Perhaps with the recently-made modifications, things will go smoothly. We will know whether or not the operation was successful in October, when the two are scheduled to come back home.

Although the two hadn’t participated in spacewalks before, they carried out the mission flawlessly; they used a serrated knife for cutting the insulation around the bolt and a wrench for removing the pyrotechnic bolt.

American Gregory Chamitoff was kept in stand-by inside the capsule all throughout the job, ready to help in case of emergency. Luckily, there was no need for his assistance and he was able to peacefully enjoy his books, music and laptop. He kept with him communications equipment as well and maintained permanent contact with his colleagues.

According to NASA officials, the force of a pyrotechnic bolt equals that of a large M-80 firecracker, which is enough to do some serious body damage. The bolt was placed inside a metal container; it will be kept there until it finds its way back to Earth with the next flight. According to Paul N. Worsey, an expert in explosives of the Missouri University of Science and Technology, pyrobolts, as they are usually called, are designed so that they wouldn’t detonate unless the handler wants them to; therefore, hypothetically, from this point of view, there is no risk involved in bolt-related operations. From another perspective however, it is quite dangerous; more exactly, because of the tools which are needed during the job. If such a tool punctures the spacesuit, the man in the suit would be in a world of trouble. Fortunately, no such accidents have been reported yet.

Russian-built Soyuz capsules are of great importance to NASA as they serve, from time to time, as transportation means and furthermore, as lifeboats. Starting 2010, when space shuttles are to be retired, the Soyuz will remain the only transport option. This will last until 2015, when the new American ship will start taking crews to and from the International Space Station (ISS).

As the two Russians did such a good job today, they will have no problems performing another spacewalk on Tuesday, when much simpler operations are scheduled to be performed.