Editor-DN
Sunita Williams is about to make her first spacewalk in 12 years. According to a statement by NASAshe will join fellow astronaut Nick Hague on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) (January 16) to repair the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) X-ray telescope.
Apart from this, Sunita Williams will participate in another spacewalk a few days later. Both of these spacewalks are part of NASA’s ongoing efforts to upgrade and maintain the ISS.
The missions will be conducted as “US Spacewalk 91” on January 16 and “US Spacewalk 92” on January 23.
January 16 Spacewalk
Sunita Williams will work with fellow NASA astronaut Nick Hague on January 16 to replace a critical rate gyro assembly, which plays an important role in maintaining the ISS’s orientation.
In addition, the pair will look at the light filters of the NICER (Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer) X-ray telescope, and replace the reflector device used for navigation on one of the station’s docking adapters.
The team will also test various access points and tools that will be used for future maintenance of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, an important scientific instrument.
NICER is set to become the first NASA observatory to receive in-orbit repairs since the Hubble Space Telescope’s servicing mission in 2009.
The International Space Station shared mission details on social media, revealing that the Jan. 16 spacewalk will focus on repairing the NICER telescope.
“On Jan. 16, NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Sunny Williams will leave the space station to repair the NICER X-ray telescope. Hague, along with station astronaut Don Pettit, trained for the spacewalk last year,” ISS shared on X (formerly Twitter).
On January 16 @NASA_Astronauts Nick Hague and Sunny Williams will exit the space station to repair the NICER X-ray telescope. Haig trained for a spacewalk last year with station astronaut Don Pettit. More… https://t.co/GpQBetjtOs
— International Space Station (@Space_Station) January 8, 2025
Sunita Williams, who will be the second crew member to step outside the station, will wear an unmarked suit, while Nick Hague, who will lead the spacewalk as Crew Member 1, will wear a suit with red stripes, according to NASA. will
This marks Sunita Williams’ eighth and Nick Hague’s fourth spacewalk. The spacewalk will be the 273rd in support of ISS assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.
January 23 Spacewalk
This spacewalk will be another important operation. This time, she will work with astronaut Butch Wilmore to remove the antenna assembly from the station’s trusses, collect surface samples for analysis and prepare a spare joint for the Canadarm2 robotic arm.
The spacewalk will also include testing microbial life on the exterior of the space station. The event will mark the 274th spacewalk dedicated to the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the ISS.
Although Sunita Williams originally planned to return to Earth in February 2025, her return has been delayed due to safety concerns surrounding the Boeing Starliner. Now he is expected to return in March 2025.
