Washington, D.C.: Recent news around Sunita Williams, an Indian American astronaut, came after she completed her eighth spacewalk with fellow NASA astronaut Nick Hague. They did the spacewalk, which lasted six hours or thereabouts, outside the International Space Station, and the repairs to the station’s NICER (Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer) X-ray telescope were absolutely crucial. The event was released by NASA as a video of Williams and Hague heading out to explore the vastness of space.
The video, which has been watched around the world, filmed Williams and Hague as they turned out the door from the ISS to begin their tasks. The cameras that were used to record were housed on their spacesuit and mounted to their helmet so you or I can truly see what they see. This innovative way of filming has become standard when documenting spacewalks and offers a special perspective on the astronauts’ work and the environment in which they are working.
Williams and Hague blasted off on June 6 last year but a return to Earth to their spacefaring home has been postponed after technical problems with their spacecraft. Their mission was originally scheduled to last just eight days in orbit, but it’s stretched much further. And several times, NASA has tried to get them back, but things haven’t worked out. To return them, a spacecraft with two vacant seats will be sent to the ISS as part of a new plan before the end of February.
Williams shared her excitement about heading out on her first spacewalk but admitted, ‘It has been since July in the International Space Station (ISS). She was ready for the task, coming out and making a point of the fact that, after so much time in microgravity, this moment signified something important.
Williams is still an inspiration to many with her role in space exploration, and this spacewalk was a critical milestone in her career. She and Hague are both committed to their mission and preparations for a scheduled spacewalk next week.