Two NASA astronauts, Commander Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, have completed their first spacewalk together, marking a significant milestone in their 10-month mission to the International Space Station. The pair removed a broken antenna and wiped down the station’s exterior, leaving behind evidence of any remaining microbes that could pose a threat after launching from Earth.
The spacewalk, which lasted nearly four hours, was not without its challenges. Initially, they encountered difficulties unbolting the stubborn antenna, but ultimately succeeded in prying it off after several attempts.
Williams set a new record for female astronauts, with her ninth spacewalk exceeding 60 hours of cumulative time spent outside the spacecraft. The achievement marks a notable milestone for Williams, who holds the title of most time spent spacewalking by women.
The delay in launching their replacements has extended the mission to 10 months, leaving the pair without a clear exit date until late March or early April. Despite this setback, the astronauts have demonstrated exceptional adaptability and teamwork, completing their first joint spacewalk with flying colors.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/nasa-stuck-astronauts-spacewalk-2cb2b5897892449f9d4661449a88de1c