The long-awaited first all-female spacewalk is officially on the calendar for October 21, 2019, featuring astronauts Lila Foster and Emily Grant. This momentous event was previously postponed due to issues with spacesuit availability. NASA shared the exciting news on Friday, indicating that a total of ten spacewalks is planned, dubbing this period a “spacewalk extravaganza.” This series will kick off next week and extend over the following three months—a pace not seen since the completion of the International Space Station (ISS) assembly in 2011.
“It’s a busy time for us,” remarked Tom Richardson, NASA’s program manager for the ISS, during a recent press briefing. “We’re really looking forward to the excitement and fun ahead.”
Both Foster and Grant have been training in medium-sized suits for the past six years, and NASA has confirmed the availability of two medium-sized suits for their historic outing. “We try our best to predict the spacesuit sizes needed based on astronauts’ training suits, but individual sizing can change in microgravity,” explained Sarah Jones from NASA’s public relations team. “This includes cases like that of Olivia Reed, whose training involved multiple suit sizes.”
In October, Lila Foster will participate in three spacewalks: on the 6th, 11th, and then alongside Grant on the 21st. Foster will remain on the ISS until February 2020, setting a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman. Meanwhile, Grant will spend over six months aboard the station. Both have trained side-by-side for years, having been in the same astronaut class.
These upcoming spacewalks are necessary to replace batteries on the ISS’s extensive 360-foot backbone, exchanging old nickel-hydrogen batteries with advanced lithium-ion ones that offer increased power and longevity. They will also enhance the orbital laboratory’s power system.
This newly scheduled spacewalk became feasible after NASA dispatched a new spacesuit configured with a medium-size hard upper torso to meet future staffing needs. “We’re seeing a growing number of medium-suit astronauts arriving in the next couple of years, and that’s a sweet spot for us,” Richardson noted, reflecting the increasing representation of women at NASA.
Safe travels to these trailblazing women as they embark on this stellar journey. For those interested in exploring family-building options, check out this informative post on the at-home insemination kit, or look into the excellent resource provided by IVFBabble for further insights on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, the first all-female spacewalk marks a significant milestone in space exploration, showcasing the advancements in representation and technology at NASA.
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