After spending eight months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore finally stepped outside for a maintenance spacewalk. The event, livestreamed by NASA, marked their first spacewalk together since their extended stay in space.
LIVE: @NASA_Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are taking a spacewalk to maintain @Space_Station hardware and collect samples. Today’s spacewalk is scheduled to start at 8am ET (1300 UTC) and go for about 6.5 hours. https://t.co/6pvzcwPdgs
— NASA (@NASA) January 30, 2025
Mission Objectives
The astronauts were assigned multiple tasks, including:
✅ Performing exterior maintenance on the ISS
✅ Inspecting for live microbes that may have survived from Earth
✅ Checking structural integrity and systems functionality
As Wilmore stepped out first, he could be heard saying, “Here we go,” while floating 420 kilometers above Earth.
The Extended Stay in Space
Williams and Wilmore were originally scheduled for a shorter stay, but due to technical delays, their return was postponed, leading to an unplanned eight-month mission.
Despite the challenges, the astronauts have actively contributed to scientific research and station upkeep, awaiting further instructions from NASA regarding their return.
What’s Next?
NASA has not yet confirmed when the duo will return to Earth, but further updates on their mission are expected soon.