Clockwise from left, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui and NASA astronauts Jonny Kim, Zena Cardman, and Mike Fincke pose for a playful portrait through a circular opening in a hatch thermal cover aboard the International Space Station on Sept. 18, 2025.
The cover provides micrometeoroid and orbital debris protection while maintaining cleanliness and pressure integrity in the vestibule between Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft and the orbital outpost. The opening allows for visual inspection of hatch alignment, access to the hatch handle or pressure equalization valve, and visibility for sensors or cameras during berthing operations.
Kim recently returned to Earth after 245 days in space aboard the orbital laboratory. Yui, Cardman, and Fincke remain aboard the space station, with Fincke as commander.
Image credit: NASA/Jonny Kim
2025年9月18日，在国际空间站上，JAXA（日本宇宙航空研究开发机构）宇航员油井龟美也与NASA宇航员金强尼（Jonny Kim）、泽娜·卡德曼（Zena Cardman）和迈克·芬克（Mike Fincke）透过舱门隔热罩上的圆形开口，拍下了一张轻松有趣的合影。从左至右顺时针排列。
该隔热罩在保持诺斯罗普·格鲁曼天鹅座XL货运飞船与空间站之间对接过渡舱清洁度与气密性的同时，还能提供微流星体和轨道碎片防护。圆形开口便于检查舱门对准情况，操作舱门把手或压力平衡阀，并在对接过程中为传感器或摄像设备提供视野。
金强尼近日在国际空间站累计驻留245天后已返回地球；油井龟美也、泽娜·卡德曼和迈克·芬克仍在轨工作，其中芬克担任空间站指令长。
图片来源: NASA/Jonny Kim
