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Watch 2 astronauts take 6th-ever all-female spacewalk today
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NASA astronaut Jessica Meir and European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot are scheduled to conduct the sixth all-female spacewalk in history on September 1, marking another milestone in space exploration. The Extravehicular Activity (EVA) is set to begin at approximately 8:30 a.m. EDT (1230 GMT) from the International Space Station (ISS) and is expected to last about 6.5 hours. The event follows a series of EVAs that began with Meir's groundbreaking walks in 2019 and 2020.
The primary objective of the spacewalk is to replace a retroreflector on the Harmony module, a component crucial for aiding spacecraft navigation during docking maneuvers. Additionally, the astronauts will install jumper cables to support the station's data-relay systems and prepare the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer's radiator for future maintenance. The team will also replace a high-definition camera on the ISS's truss, ensuring continued high-quality imaging of the station.
The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer is a $2 billion particle physics experiment attached to the ISS, designed to study cosmic rays and investigate dark matter. Its maintenance is vital for the ongoing success of this international scientific endeavor. The tasks planned for this EVA highlight the continuous upkeep required to keep the orbital laboratory functioning at peak performance.
This mission is particularly significant for Adenot, who will serve as 'crew member 1' and wear a red-striped suit. It marks her third career spacewalk and comes just two weeks after she became the first French woman to perform an EVA. For Meir, who will wear an unmarked suit as 'crew member 2,' this will be her seventh spacewalk, placing her third among female NASA astronauts behind Peggy Whitson and Suni Williams.
Meir is a veteran of all-female spacewalks, having participated in the first three with astronaut Christina Koch in late 2019 and early 2020. This latest EVA underscores NASA's commitment to diversity and inclusion in its astronaut corps. The agency has steadily increased the frequency of such missions, reflecting the growing number of qualified women in key operational roles.
Live coverage of the spacewalk is available through NASA's official channels and will commence at 7:00 a.m. EDT (1100 GMT). The successful completion of this EVA will further demonstrate the expertise of the current ISS crew and support ongoing research and maintenance efforts in low-Earth orbit. As space agencies plan for future missions to the Moon and Mars, events like this build essential experience for long-duration exploration.
