NASA’s two astronauts, stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for nearly eight months, made history with their first spacewalk together on Thursday. Commander Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were initially set to stay in space for only a week, found themselves stuck in orbit after their ride, Boeing’s Starliner capsule, faced major technical issues.
A spacewalk like no other
Williams and Wilmore, both retired Navy captains, had expected their stay aboard the ISS to be brief. However, after the Starliner capsule failed its test flight, NASA had to send it back empty. The astronauts were left to wait for a return mission from SpaceX. Their extended mission now stretches to 10 months, a major change from their original one-week plan.
On Thursday, after months of waiting, they took on a crucial spacewalk. The mission: remove a broken antenna and clean the ISS exterior. During the spacewalk, the astronauts also searched for any evidence of microbes that might still be alive after the launch and escape from Earth.
Facing challenges in space
The spacewalk wasn’t without its challenges. The astronauts had some difficulty unbolting the old antenna, which had become stuck in place. But after almost four hours of hard work, they managed to pry it off. Mission Control kept a close eye on the pair, urging them to be cautious of any floating debris from the antenna removal.
Williams breaks a record
While floating 260 miles above Earth, Williams reached an incredible milestone. The spacewalk marked her ninth, setting a new record for female astronauts. She now holds the record for the most time spent spacewalking by a woman, surpassing the previous record set by retired astronaut Peggy Whitson. Whitson had spent 60 hours and 21 minutes in spacewalks across 10 missions, but Williams has now taken the lead with more than 60 hours in space on spacewalks.
Wilmore joins the spacewalk club
For Wilmore, this spacewalk was his first on this mission, although he had completed multiple spacewalks during previous space station missions. This historic moment marked a significant milestone for both astronauts. While Williams had already performed a spacewalk two weeks ago with another NASA astronaut, this was the first time she and Wilmore worked outside the ISS together on this trip.
A delayed mission
When Williams and Wilmore arrived at the ISS last June, they expected a short mission of just one week. Their ride, the Starliner capsule, was supposed to bring them home after their tests, but it faced numerous technical issues, forcing NASA to return it without crew. With the Starliner out of the picture, NASA had no choice but to keep the two astronauts in orbit until SpaceX could launch their replacements.
But delays in SpaceX’s mission meant that the astronauts’ stay on the ISS has been extended significantly. Their new estimated return date is now set for late March or early April, meaning their mission could stretch to an unprecedented 10 months.
Williams’ long spacewalk legacy
With her nine spacewalks, Williams has set a new record in NASA history. She is now the most experienced female astronaut in spacewalking. But her record isn’t just about the number of spacewalks—it’s also about the total amount of time she’s spent outside the ISS. This accomplishment highlights her leadership in the field and solidifies her legacy as one of the most accomplished astronauts in space history.
While this was Wilmore’s first time stepping outside during this mission, he isn’t new to spacewalks. His experience spans multiple missions, including one aboard the ISS in 2009. But this mission has been unique in the sense that both astronauts have had to adapt to unexpected delays and challenges.
A team in space
Despite the setbacks and delays, Williams and Wilmore continue to work together, showing the spirit of teamwork that defines NASA’s missions. Their resilience and dedication to the job are evident as they continue performing vital tasks on the ISS. From removing broken equipment to searching for microbes, every action they take helps maintain the station and adds to the rich history of space exploration.
As Williams and Wilmore wait for their eventual return, their spacewalks remain a highlight of their extended mission. With their planned return now months away, the astronauts will continue their vital work, possibly setting more records along the way. Their journey will go down in history as a testament to the challenges and triumphs of space exploration, proving that even in the face of unexpected delays, the spirit of discovery and teamwork remains strong.
