Two NASA astronauts are preparing to make history once again as they gear up for the fourth all-female spacewalk. Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli are scheduled to step outside the International Space Station at 8:05 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, in what is expected to be a seven-hour mission.
The highly anticipated spacewalk can be watched live on the Poh Diaries website, as well as on Space.com and directly via NASA. This exciting event marks another significant milestone for women in space exploration.
During the spacewalk, O’Hara and Moghbeli will be tasked with removing an electronics box and replacing a trundle bearing assembly on the station’s solar array. The success of these maneuvers is vital for the proper functioning of the space station and its continued scientific research.
Originally planned for October 20, the spacewalk was postponed due to a coolant leak on Russia’s Nauka module. To investigate the issue, two cosmonauts performed a spacewalk on October 25, successfully resolving the problem. Now, all systems are go for the all-female team to perform their mission.
This will be the first all-female spacewalk outside the partnership between NASA and Russia’s Roscosmos space agency. Previously, all-female spacewalks were conducted solely by NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir. Their contribution has paved the way for future all-woman spacewalks, as NASA officials have expressed their commitment to promoting gender equality and diversifying space exploration.
The significance of this achievement cannot be understated. It serves as a testament to the remarkable progress made in the field of space exploration and the increasing recognition of women’s contributions in this traditionally male-dominated domain. As we witness the fourth all-female spacewalk, we can eagerly anticipate more milestones in the future, as women continue to break barriers and defy expectations in the vast expanse of space.
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