Jobaaj Stories
Sunita Williams, one of NASA’s most accomplished astronauts, has marked another milestone in her career by completing her first spacewalk in 12 years. Williams, who has been on the International Space Station (ISS) for the past seven months, partnered with astronaut Nick Hague for this significant task. The spacewalk, which lasted six hours, was an important part of the ongoing maintenance of the ISS. Williams and Hague worked together to replace a reflector device on an international docking adaptor and to repair patch light filters on the NICER X-ray telescope. They also worked on crucial equipment that controls the station’s orientation.
This spacewalk was particularly significant as it marked the first time in more than a decade that Williams had stepped out of the ISS. Known for her numerous spacewalks during previous missions, Williams’ return to this challenging task was a momentous occasion. As she suited up for the mission, she radioed, “I’m coming out,” signaling her readiness for the low-Earth orbit journey.
The tasks completed during this mission were essential for the continued function of the ISS. The team also worked on preparations for future maintenance on the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, an instrument on the ISS used for particle physics research. Despite facing challenges due to the delay in the return journey, which had been postponed due to technical errors with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, Williams and her fellow astronaut, Butch Wilmore, remained focused on their mission.
The technical issue with the Starliner capsule, initially scheduled to bring the astronauts back to Earth after a week-long mission in June 2024, has caused delays in their return. Due to these delays, their return to Earth is now scheduled for late March or early April 2025. Despite the setbacks, Williams and Wilmore have continued to contribute to the critical work happening on the ISS, further cementing their place as integral members of the NASA team.
In just a few days, on January 23, Williams and Wilmore will undertake another spacewalk. This mission will involve the removal of a radio frequency group antenna assembly and gathering surface samples for the examination of microorganisms. Additionally, they will set up a backup elbow joint for the Canadarm2 robotic arm, ensuring that the ISS can continue its operations seamlessly.
Williams’ spacewalks and other accomplishments serve as a testament to her dedication and skill in space exploration. She has been a trailblazer for women in STEM fields and continues to inspire the next generation of astronauts and explorers. As she prepares for her second spacewalk later this month, the world watches with anticipation, knowing that her contributions will continue to shape the future of space exploration.
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