NASA Astronaut Emerges for Spacewalk After Seven Months in Orbit

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—One of NASA’s two astronauts who were temporarily unable to move got an exciting opportunity on Thursday, as she ventured out for her first spacewalk since her arrival at the International Space Station over seven months ago.

Suni Williams, the commander of the station, tackled some necessary outdoor maintenance alongside NASA’s Nick Hague. They made their way outside as the space station orbited 260 miles above Turkmenistan.

Williams had a close view of the SpaceX capsule that will bring her back to Earth this spring, floating just a few feet away from the parked spacecraft while working on a task. After some effort, she successfully completed the chore without damaging her mode of return.

Plans currently indicate that Williams will venture out again next week with Butch Wilmore for another spacewalk. The two launched on Boeing’s new Starliner capsule last June, initially intended as a weeklong test flight.

However, complications with the Starliner have extended their return, leading NASA to command the capsule’s return without crew. Additionally, SpaceX postponed the launch of their replacements, which means that both astronauts will remain in space until late March or early April—ten months after their launch.

This marked the first spacewalk by NASA astronauts since a previous attempt was called off last summer. U.S. spacewalks were temporarily suspended after water seeped into the airlock from an astronaut’s suit cooling system. NASA has reported that the issue has since been resolved.

This was the eighth spacewalk for Williams, who has previously lived on the space station.

By Marcia Dunn