Two NASA astronauts — Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara — performed a historic spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS), becoming the second all-female team to perform this operation. The total spacewalk time was 6 hours 42 minutes.
As part of the ISS-70 expedition, they carried out a number of technical works; in particular, they replaced the bearing for the proper functioning of solar arrays, prepared an electronic unit for further extraction, and performed other maintenance work.
Jasmin Moghbeli focused on dismantling the arm to make room for the future solar array on the ISS. This new array will increase the generating capacity to support commercial projects at the orbital outpost. The astronaut also prepared a place for the installation of a new iROSA wing.
Meanwhile, Loral O’Hara replaced one of the bearing assemblies on the SARJ joint and prepared the RFG instrument for extraction during the next spacewalk. She encountered difficulties when unscrewing the bolts, but eventually coped with the task.
In general, the spacewalk was successfully completed when its participants returned to the Quest airlock, where they could remove their spacesuits after sealing. This exit was the 269th under the ISS program, as well as the 12th this year and the second during the 70th expedition.
Moghbel and O’Hara are the second female duo to go on a spacewalk. The three previous exits were carried out by NASA astronauts Christina Coke and Jessica Meir in October 2019 and January 2020.
Note that this procedure is very important for the maintenance of the ISS as well as the support of commercial projects in orbit. The female crew once again demonstrated high professionalism and the ability to perform complex work in outer space. The spacewalk was another important step in the equal participation of women in space missions, highlighting their achievements and inspiring the next generation to join this exciting world.
Earlier we reported on how astronauts celebrated a good tradition on the ISS.
According to Space
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