NASA's two stuck astronauts took their first spacewalk together on January 30, 2025, more than eight months after their arrival at the International Space Station. Commander Suni Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore floated out to perform much-needed maintenance work and collect samples from the station's exterior.
The adventure began at 7:43 AM ET, and after successfully completing their tasks, it concluded at 1:09 PM ET, totaling 5 hours and 26 minutes. "Here we go," Wilmore exclaimed as he and Williams emerged 260 miles above Spain, embarking on what turned out to be quite the eventful excursion.
Initially onboard with the expectation of returning to Earth after just one week, the two experienced substantial delays due to issues encountered with Boeing's Starliner capsule, the spacecraft they traveled to the station aboard during its first crewed test flight last June. Those complications—ranging from helium leaks to propulsion difficulties—forced NASA to ground the capsule and opt for another spacecraft to bring the astronauts home, significantly extending their mission timeline.
During the spacewalk, the pair focused on removing degraded radio communications hardware known as the radio frequency group, followed by gathering samples to assess potential microorganisms residing on the station's exterior. This top-priority work included the successful removal of the S-band antenna, previously resistant to release during earlier maintenance attempts.
With the assistance of specialized tools, the duo worked collaboratively to detach the bolts securing the equipment. Williams, marking her ninth career spacewalk, surpassed former astronaut Peggy Whitson’s record for total spacewalking time at 62 hours and 6 minutes, adding another achievement to her illustrious career. With Wilmore now completing five spacewalks, both astronauts deeply reflect on their time among the stars.
The entire event was livestreamed on NASA+ and the agency's YouTube channel, showcasing the extensive work engineers are doing to understand how microorganisms adapt to the cosmic environment. The samples collected could inform future missions, including the anticipated Artemis III lunar landing and eventually Mars exploration. Understanding which organisms survive extensive sterilization could help refine future cleaning processes.
According to NASA, strict planetary protections aim to prevent human contamination of extraterrestrial settings and vice versa. Scientists have long sought to measure the resilience of microorganisms released from the station. The experiment investigates whether any of these organisms can survive beyond our atmosphere and thrive among the cosmic elements.
During their prolonged stay—now nearing 10 months—the astronauts have maintained their enthusiasm, adopting the motto, "It’s just a great team and — no, it doesn’t feel like we’re castaways." Williams expressed excitement about completing their tasks even as they awaited their eventual return.
Recent statements from both former President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk cast doubt on NASA's management of the astronauts' extended stay. Trump tweeted his concerns, claiming he had asked Musk to retrieve the astronauts immediately, stating they seemed "abandoned" amid their prolonged mission. Similarly, Musk's statements noted they were "stranded" at the ISS, igniting public intrigue about the astronauts' condition.
Yet, NASA confirmed, "NASA and SpaceX are expeditiously working to safely return the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore as soon as practical," highlighting the precautionary measures taken for astronaut safety. Their planned return, slated for late March or early April, hinges on the successful arrival of Crew-10, which is set to allow for the subsequent handover of responsibilities aboard the ISS.
Despite facing unforeseen obstacles, the diligent spirit of NASA astronauts Williams and Wilmore shines brightly amid the backdrop of space exploration. They continue to be pivotal figures not only on the ISS but also for what lies ahead for humanity's ventures far beyond our planet.