NASA Astronaut Takes First Spacewalk After Extended Stay on Space Station
In a much-anticipated event, one of NASA’s astronauts stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) finally experienced a change of pace on Thursday with her first spacewalk since her arrival over seven months ago. The mission saw the station’s commander, Suni Williams, step outside for some essential maintenance tasks.
Joined by fellow NASA astronaut Nick Hague, Williams ventured out of the station as it orbited 260 miles (420 kilometers) above Turkmenistan. “I’m coming out,” announced Williams over the radio as she embarked on the spacewalk.
NASA has scheduled another outing for Williams with astronaut Butch Wilmore next week. Both Williams and Wilmore were part of the crew that launched aboard Boeing’s new Starliner capsule in June last year. Originally intended to be a weeklong test mission, complications with the Starliner extended their stay in space.
The issues with the Starliner led NASA to decide on its return without crew, while subsequent delays by SpaceX in launching replacements have further extended Williams and Wilmore’s stay on the ISS. Their return to Earth is now expected by late March or early April, around ten months after their initial launch.
This recent spacewalk marks the first mission of its kind by NASA astronauts since an earlier attempt was called off last summer. A water leak issue within an astronaut’s suit cooling loop had previously put U.S. spacewalks on hold, but NASA confirms the problem is resolved.
For Williams, this marks her eighth spacewalk, having previously lived on the space station in earlier missions.
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