First Spacewalk in Months
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, along with Nick Hague, ventured outside the International Space Station (ISS) on January 16, 2025. This marked her first spacewalk since arriving at the station more than seven months ago. The duo worked on overdue repairs while the ISS orbited 420 km above Turkmenistan.
Extended Mission Challenges
Originally scheduled for a weeklong test flight aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule in June 2024, their mission was prolonged due to technical issues. NASA eventually returned the Starliner to Earth without crew, and SpaceX delays further extended Williams and Wilmore’s stay. Their return is now planned for late March or early April 2025.
Addressing Technical Setbacks
This was the first U.S. spacewalk since last summer when a cooling system issue caused water leakage in an astronaut’s suit. NASA has since resolved the problem, allowing Williams and Hague to resume maintenance activities safely.
Key Upgrades Completed
During the spacewalk, the astronauts conducted repairs and supported upgrades to critical equipment, including the NICER X-ray telescope, which studies neutron stars.
A Veteran Astronaut’s Legacy
This marked the eighth spacewalk for Sunita Williams, a seasoned astronaut who has spent significant time aboard the ISS. Her contributions highlight the resilience and adaptability required for extended space missions.
