NASA’s two stranded astronauts, Commander Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, ventured outside the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, marking their first spacewalk together after nearly eight months in orbit. The duo undertook critical repairs while Williams set a new spacewalking record for female astronauts.
The astronauts worked tirelessly 420 kilometers above Earth to remove a broken antenna and inspect the station’s exterior for any microbes that might have hitchhiked from Earth. The task proved challenging as they grappled with unbolting the stubborn antenna, finally prying it off almost four hours after exiting the hatch. Mission Control in Houston cautioned them to watch for any floating debris during the operation.
Despite the hurdles, Williams remained optimistic. “It was tough, but we got the job done,” she reported back to Mission Control.
This mission was particularly significant for Williams. With this spacewalk—her ninth—she set a new record for the most cumulative time spent spacewalking by a female astronaut, surpassing retired astronaut Peggy Whitson’s previous record of 60 hours and 21 minutes over ten spacewalks.
Originally, Williams and Wilmore were scheduled for a brief week-long stay when they arrived at the ISS last June. However, their return was delayed after their new ride, Boeing’s Starliner capsule, encountered numerous problems, leading NASA to send it back to Earth empty. The unexpected issues left the two retired Navy captains stranded until SpaceX could bring them home.
Their extended mission is now set to last ten months, with their return not expected until late March or early April due to delays in launching their replacements. Both astronauts have remained steadfast, using their time to perform essential maintenance and experiments aboard the station.
“We’re making every moment count up here,” Wilmore said during a live broadcast. This was Wilmore’s first spacewalk of the mission, though both he and Williams have performed spacewalks during previous stays on the ISS.
Two weeks prior, Williams conducted a spacewalk with another NASA astronaut, showcasing her extensive experience and dedication. Their ongoing efforts contribute significantly to the success of current and future space missions.
The achievements of Williams and Wilmore continue to inspire people around the world, especially young enthusiasts in the Global South, highlighting the possibilities that space exploration holds for humanity.
