Historic Spacewalk: NASA’s Sunita Williams Ventures Outside ISS for Critical Repairs After 12-Year Hiatus

In a significant milestone for space exploration, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams stepped outside the International Space Station (ISS) today for her first spacewalk in 12 years. Williams, alongside fellow astronaut Nick Hague, embarked on a critical mission designated as US Spacewalk 91, marking her eighth career spacewalk.

The spacewalk commenced at approximately 8 a.m. EST as the space station orbited 260 miles above Turkmenistan. “I’m coming out,” Williams radioed as she exited the airlock, beginning what would be a challenging six-and-a-half-hour mission.

The primary objective of this high-stakes spacewalk involves crucial repairs to the Neutron star Interior Composition ExploreR (NICER) X-ray telescope. Since May 2023, NICER’s observations have been hampered by sunlight leaking through damaged thermal shields, necessitating immediate attention. The astronauts’ task includes installing patches to block these light leaks and restore the telescope’s proper functionality.

During the spacewalk, Williams, wearing an unmarked spacesuit, and Hague, identifiable by red stripes on his suit, are also tasked with replacing a rate gyro assembly that helps control the station’s orientation. Additionally, they are installing a reflector device for navigational data on one of the international docking adapters and conducting preparatory work for future maintenance on the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.

This mission holds particular significance as it marks NASA’s return to spacewalking operations following a temporary suspension last summer due to a cooling loop issue that caused water leakage in an astronaut’s suit airlock. NASA has since resolved these safety concerns, allowing for the resumption of critical extravehicular activities.

Williams’ return to spacewalking comes during an unexpectedly extended stay aboard the ISS. What began as a planned weeklong test mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule in June 2024 has stretched to a ten-month orbital stay. Technical issues with the Starliner prompted NASA to return the capsule to Earth without its crew, while delays in the launch of their SpaceX replacements have further extended their mission.

Looking ahead, Williams is scheduled for another spacewalk on January 23, 2025, this time partnering with astronaut Butch Wilmore. This upcoming mission will focus on removing a radio frequency group antenna assembly and collecting surface samples to analyze potential microorganisms on the station’s exterior.

The extended mission has presented both challenges and opportunities for Williams and her colleagues. Despite the unexpected length of their stay, the crew has maintained their commitment to advancing scientific research and maintaining the ISS’s operational capabilities. Their current return to Earth is now anticipated for late March or early April 2025, following the launch of the SpaceX Crew-10 mission.

Williams’ latest spacewalk not only demonstrates her exceptional experience and expertise but also highlights the ongoing importance of human presence in space exploration. As a veteran of eight spacewalks, she continues to contribute significantly to the maintenance and enhancement of humanity’s foothold in space, ensuring the ISS remains functional for future missions and scientific discoveries.