Nasa astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore ventured outside the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, nearly eight months after their arrival, marking their first spacewalk together. This unprecedented mission extended their time in orbit due to complications with their Boeing Starliner capsule, which was deemed too unsafe for crewed reentry.
The spacewalk commenced just before 8 AM ET (1300 UTC), lasting approximately four hours, during which the duo tackled significant maintenance tasks. Their primary objective was to remove a malfunctioning antenna and gather samples from the station's exterior, investigating the potential presence of microbes.
Commander Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore faced unexpected challenges during their outing. The antenna's stubborn bolts resisted removal, prompting Wilmore to report, “It’s not budging.” This delay led to Mission Control canceling other tasks to prioritize the antenna job, highlighting NASA's commitment to ensuring the station remains operational.
The astronauts originally anticipated returning to Earth shortly after their arrival last June. Unfortunately, due to technical issues with Starliner—Boeing’s new spacecraft—NASA decided to return the capsule empty. This decision left both astronauts stranded, extending their mission duration to ten months, with plans for return now delayed until late March or early April.
Despite the prolonged mission, NASA officials reassured the public about their health, stating, “The extended stay does not pose health risks but is an unexpected challenge for the astronauts.” Both Williams and Wilmore have extensive experience with spacewalks; Williams alone has conducted multiple during her career, including another just two weeks prior to this one.
During the spacewalk, Williams achieved another milestone, as she now holds the record for the most cumulative hours spent spacewalking by a female astronaut. With this latest endeavor, she has accomplished nine spacewalks overall, surpassing the previous record of 60 hours and 21 minutes held by retired astronaut Peggy Whitson.
After 260 miles (420 kilometers) above the Earth, both astronauts performed their duties with diligence, maintaining the ISS's integrity. Williams's previous experience was evident as she guided the mission alongside Wilmore, who was making his first excursion outside the station on this trip.
Looking forward, NASA continues to monitor the astronauts' health as they await their eventual return aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule. Meanwhile, Boeing works to resolve the Starliner’s technical issues before its scheduled test flights resume.
Despite the challenges of their extended stay, Williams and Wilmore remain high-spirited, making history and contributing significantly to our exploration efforts beyond Earth. With each venture outside the station, they are not just maintaining the ISS but also demonstrating the resilience and adaptability required during unprecedented situations.