A spacewalk is underway outside the International Space Station, where Suni Williams and Nick Hague are spending approximately 6.5 hours to conduct necessary repairs and equipment assessments.

Williams and Hague were not initially planning to participate in a spacewalk, but unforeseen circumstances prolonged their stay on the station.

Unexpected Stay Aboard ISS

Williams and her original mission partner, Butch Wilmore, launched aboard the Starliner spacecraft on June 5th, 2024. However, upon docking with the ISS, technical issues with the spacecraft's thrusters emerged, leading to uncertainties around the astronauts' return timeline. The decision was made to remotely pilot the Starliner back to Earth, leaving Williams and Wilmore in need of a ride home.

After a schedule reshuffle, Williams and Wilmore were replaced by two astronauts scheduled for the SpaceX Crew-9 turnover mission. Their return to Earth is now anticipated in late March or early April, following delays in the mission. While aboard the ISS, Williams and Wilmore have been engaged in various experiments, as well as tending to tasks such as watering plants and conducting repairs.

NASA Spacewalk Updates

Williams and Hague are currently performing repairs such as replacing a rate gyro assembly, installing patches on light filters for the X-ray telescope NICER, and replacing a navigational device on an international docking adapter.

They are also inspecting access areas and tools required for future maintenance on the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer. This marks Williams' eighth spacewalk, having previously served aboard the ISS in 2006-2007.

The spacewalk originally planned with astronauts Tracy C. Dyson and Matt Dominick was postponed last summer due to a spacesuit discomfort issue. Subsequent examination revealed a leak in the suit's cooling loop, leading to water entering the airlock chamber. The issue has since been addressed, allowing the current spacewalk to proceed as scheduled. Williams' partner, Butch Wilmore, is scheduled to join her in a spacewalk next week.

NASA Astronauts Space Walk Outside the ISS

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