CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — On Thursday, NASA’s two astronauts, who had been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for nearly eight months, completed their first spacewalk together. Commander Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore successfully exited the station, tackling several tasks during their mission outside.

The astronauts focused on removing a malfunctioning antenna and searching the station’s exterior for any surviving microbes that may have made their way out into space from Earth. They initially faced challenges while trying to unbolt the stubborn antenna but eventually succeeded in detaching it almost four hours after they began their spacewalk. Throughout the operation, Mission Control advised the astronauts to remain cautious and to look out for any loose parts that may have come off during the removal process.

During this operation, conducted at an altitude of 260 miles (420 kilometers), Williams achieved a significant milestone by setting a new spacewalking record for female astronauts. The duo originally planned to stay at the ISS for just one week upon their arrival last June, but complications with Boeing’s Starliner capsule led NASA to update their return plans, leaving the astronauts in orbit without their intended transport.

Both astronauts, who are retired Navy captains, now have their return postponed until SpaceX can send replacement crew members, likely around late March or early April. This delay will extend their mission duration to approximately ten months. Williams had already conducted a spacewalk two weeks prior alongside a different NASA astronaut, while this event marked Wilmore’s first excursion outside the station during this assignment.

Accumulating a total of nine spacewalks, Williams has now set a record for women by achieving the most total time spent on spacewalks throughout her career. She surpassed the previous record of 60 hours and 21 minutes held by retired astronaut Peggy Whitson, which was gathered across ten spacewalk events.