Sunita Williams Set for First Spacewalk in 12 Years

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is preparing for her first spacewalk in 12 years, scheduled for January 16, 2025, as part of a mission to repair the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) X-ray telescope aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Williams will be joined by fellow astronaut Nick Hague for the operation, which is a key component of NASA’s ongoing efforts to upgrade and maintain the ISS.

January 16 Spacewalk: Key Repairs and Upgrades

During the January 16 spacewalk, Williams and Hague will replace a critical rate gyro assembly that is crucial for maintaining the ISS's orientation. They will also inspect the NICER telescope’s light filters, replace a reflector device used for navigation on the station’s docking adapters, and check various access points and tools for future maintenance tasks involving the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.

NICER will be the first NASA observatory to undergo repairs in orbit since the Hubble Space Telescope’s servicing mission in 2009.

January 23 Spacewalk: Continued Maintenance Efforts

Williams will take part in another spacewalk on January 23, working with astronaut Butch Wilmore to remove an antenna assembly from the station’s truss, collect surface samples for analysis, and prepare a spare joint for the Canadarm2 robotic arm. This spacewalk will also include testing for microbial life on the station's exterior.

Milestones in Spacewalks

The spacewalk on January 16 will be Williams' eighth spacewalk, while Hague will complete his fourth. It will be the 273rd spacewalk supporting ISS assembly, maintenance, and upgrades. The January 23 event will mark the 274th spacewalk dedicated to improving the ISS.

Although Williams had originally planned to return to Earth in February 2025, her return has been delayed due to safety concerns surrounding the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. She is now expected to return in March 2025.