NASA has announced plans to resume spacewalks on the International Space Station in 2025, following a suspension of activities in June due to a leaky spacesuit. The agency's operations and integration manager confirmed the decision during a press conference after the successful completion of SpaceX's Crew-8 mission. The need for spacewalks is determined by a schedule that considers spacecraft arrivals and departures, as well as astronaut research activities. The June incident involving a coolant leak did not pose any immediate danger to the astronauts or the ISS.
NASA Announces Resumption of Spacewalks on International Space Station in 2025
After a hiatus due to a spacesuit leak, NASA has announced plans to resume spacewalks on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025. The agency's operations manager confirmed the decision following the successful completion of SpaceX's Crew-8 mission.
Background
Spacewalks, or extravehicular activities (EVAs), are essential for maintaining and repairing the ISS. They involve astronauts exiting the space station to perform tasks such as equipment maintenance, repairs, and science experiments.
In June 2023, a coolant leak in a Russian Orlan spacesuit forced two cosmonauts to cut short their spacewalk and return to the ISS. NASA subsequently suspended spacewalks until the issue could be resolved.
Resumption of Spacewalks
NASA has conducted a thorough investigation of the coolant leak and has determined that it is safe to resume spacewalks. The agency has implemented new procedures and safety measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The first spacewalks in 2025 are scheduled to begin in the spring. They will be conducted by astronauts from the United States, Russia, and Japan.
Schedule and Activities
The need for spacewalks is determined by a schedule that considers spacecraft arrivals and departures, as well as astronaut research activities. The first spacewalks in 2025 will focus on:
Top 5 FAQs
Why were spacewalks suspended on the ISS? A coolant leak in a Russian spacesuit in June 2023 forced the suspension of spacewalks.
When will spacewalks resume? Spacewalks are scheduled to resume in the spring of 2025.
Who will conduct the spacewalks? Astronauts from the United States, Russia, and Japan will conduct the spacewalks.
What tasks will be performed during the spacewalks? The tasks will include external maintenance and repair of the ISS, installation of new equipment, and science experiments.
Are the spacewalks safe? NASA has conducted a thorough investigation and has implemented new safety measures to ensure the safety of the astronauts during spacewalks.
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