This week, two NASA astronauts, Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, took a spacewalk from the International Space Station (ISS). Their mission was to attach a bracket for a new solar panel that will increase the plant’s energy capacity by 30%. This important upgrade will help the ISS continue to be a center for space exploration.
ISS EVA-93: A "slice" has been spotted in Anne McClain's EMU glove.
MCC-H says they are good to proceed. pic.twitter.com/Q3G9E71vsm
— NSF – NASASpaceflight.com (@NASASpaceflight) May 1, 2025
Challenges during the mission
The mission lasted more than six hours and was not without its difficulties. An hour after it began, McClane noticed something that looked like a cut on the glove of her spacesuit. The ground team in Houston responded quickly, using video communications to assess the situation. Fortunately, it turned out to be just a thread from a seam of special fabric that did not jeopardize safety. After a brief check, the astronauts continued their work.
Long way to the stars
For Anne McClain, this exit was a real victory after six years of waiting. Back in 2019, she could have been part of the first female spacewalk with Christina Koch, but plans were scrapped due to a lack of the right-sized spacesuit. She was then replaced by colleague Nick Hague and the historic event was postponed. Only seven months later, Koch and Jessica Meir made the first all-female spacewalk.
The delay highlighted a problem that NASA has been fighting for a long time: spacesuits designed back in the 1980s are not well-suited for women, especially those of short stature. These suits, known as EMUs, wear out and sometimes fail. Last year, for example, astronaut Tracy Dyson experienced a water leak in the helmet that left her visor covered in ice.
Why are spacesuits a problem?
NASA spacesuits are not only outdated, but they don’t take into account the diversity of astronauts’ bodies. Women have faced years of discomfort due to size mismatches. This problem is not new and is found not only in space, but also in fields such as the army or fire service, where equipment is often designed for men.
NASA animation: pic.twitter.com/Gchox8ry8x
— Jay Keegan (@_jaykeegan_) May 1, 2025
The ISS will remain in service for less than five more years, so there is little time to create new, more versatile spacesuits. NASA is already working on the upgrade, but it’s a complicated and slow process.
Triumph of the women’s team
Despite the obstacles, McClain and Ayers successfully completed the mission. The spacewalk was the fifth time in history that an exclusively female team has entered outer space. It has proved not only that women are capable of performing the most challenging tasks in space, but also reminds us of the need for changes in technology. Space is getting closer – and more open to everyone.
This event is another step towards equality in science and exploration of the universe. Astronauts have proven that boundaries can be broken even when the equipment isn’t perfect.
Earlier we covered the history of spacesuits.
According to futurism.com
