The astronauts replaced a space-to-ground communications receiver and wireless video equipment and installed power and cables for a Russian multipurpose laboratory module that will be launched later in 2013. The new module will serve as a research facility, docking port and airlock for future Russian spacewalks and will replace the Pirs module.

The spacewalk was terminated after just one hour due to an unexplained build up of water inside the space suit helmet of European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano.