Washington, January 17: Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams achieved another milestone in her illustrious career by completing her eighth spacewalk. On Thursday, at 6:30 PM IST, Williams stepped out of the International Space Station (ISS) alongside astronaut Nick Hague for a challenging mission named “US Spacewalk-91.” The spacewalk, lasting approximately 6.5 hours, was focused on repairing the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) X-ray telescope and other essential ISS components.
Key Tasks Completed During the Spacewalk
- Repair of NICER X-ray Telescope: Williams and Hague patched light filters to improve telescope functionality.
- Instrument Maintenance: Repaired devices critical for determining the station’s orientation.
- Docking Equipment Upgrade: Replaced reflectors on an International Docking Adapter.
NASA broadcasted the spacewalk live, showcasing the duo’s intricate work on the ISS exterior.
Sunita Williams Returns to Spacewalking After 12 Years
This marks Williams’ first spacewalk in 12 years. Renowned for her expertise in Extravehicular Activities (EVA), her contributions are vital for the operation and upgrades of the ISS.
NASA had paused spacewalks in May last year after a cooling loop leak in an astronaut’s suit caused water to enter the airlock. This mission marks the first spacewalk since resolving that issue.
Unexpectedly Long Stay for Williams and Wilmore
Sunita Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore have been aboard the ISS for over seven months, far exceeding their original one-week mission. The two astronauts were sent in June 2024 to test Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, but technical issues grounded their return.
Mission Details
- Mission Objective: Test the Starliner’s capability to transport astronauts to and from the ISS.
- Crew Roles: Williams served as the spacecraft’s pilot, while Wilmore was the mission commander.
- Planned Stay: Initially, their stay was scheduled for just eight days.
However, persistent technical problems in the Starliner spacecraft have delayed their return.
Challenges with Boeing Starliner
The Boeing Starliner spacecraft has faced multiple issues since its launch:
- Helium Leaks: Five leaks in the service module’s thrusters compromised its propulsion system.
- Malfunctioning Thrusters: Five thrusters stopped functioning, and a propellant valve failed to close.
Efforts by the ISS crew and NASA’s mission control in Houston have been unable to resolve these issues, delaying the astronauts’ return further.
NASA’s Plan for Return
NASA has enlisted SpaceX to create a new capsule to bring Williams and Wilmore back to Earth. The new capsule, expected to be ready by March 2025, might further delay their return until April.
NASA’s Statement on the Mission
NASA praised Williams and Hague’s efforts, noting that their work is critical for the station’s continued functionality. Despite the challenges, the mission underscores the resilience and expertise of astronauts operating in space.
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- My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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