Sunita Williams is one of the most famous astronauts, her spacewalks and accomplishments will be always remembered. Thus far, this article will explore five of Sunita Williams incredible spacewalks, what she encountered, what she accomplished and the legacy she left in the world of space travel.
1. First Spacewalk
One of Sunita Williams’ most memorable spacewalks occurred on February 4, 2007, during her time aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This historic spacewalk marked her first venture into the vastness of space, a momentous occasion for both her and NASA.
During the spacewalk, Williams and her fellow astronaut, Michael Lopez-Alegria, performed various tasks outside the ISS. They installed a new truss segment, activated a cooling system, and tested a solar array retraction system. This successful mission showcased Williams’ exceptional skills and resilience in the challenging environment of outer space.
2. Spacewalk Marathon
Once again breaking records Sunita Williams set out for a spacewalk on August 30, 2012, and continued for a record breaking 6 hours and 28 minutes. This endurance feat captured the record of the longest spacewalk by a woman replacing the previous record that was also held by Williams.
As part of this 8.5 hours of spacewalk, Williams and her partner Akihiko Hoshide of JAXA fixed a number of issues on the outer part of the ISS. They installed replacement of a faulty power relay unit, recoding power supply to the station’s facilities, and joining a leaky radiator. It could be evident that due to Williams’ persistence and understanding, these complex tasks could be successfully accomplished.
3. Helmet Leak
Interestingly, on July 16, 2013, in one of the spacewalks Sunita Williams was nearly in an almost fatal situation – she found herself in water in her helmet during the spacewalk. This was a rather unforeseen and risky occurrence that put her in a rather precariously vulnerable position and serves to demonstrate just extremely perilous space exploration is for astronauts, especially when they are in outer space.
The best in Williams was brought out when faced with this dreadful situation and to his credit he did as he was trained, that is why he is amongst the employee’s I would rely on in a case like this. She immediately went back to the airlock and was able to get back into the ISS from this one safely. Space manually brought out the reality that people associated with space exploration face such dangers every time they go out into space, through the actions of Williams.
4. Spacewalk with Akihiko Hoshide
Another notable spacewalk in Sunita Williams‘ career took place on August 30, 2012, when she joined forces with Akihiko Hoshide for a joint mission outside the ISS. This collaborative effort between NASA and JAXA showcased the international cooperation and coordination essential for successful space exploration.
During this spacewalk, Williams and Hoshide worked together to install a new Main Bus Switching Unit, a crucial component that regulates power distribution on the ISS. Their synchronized efforts and meticulous attention to detail ensured the success of this critical mission.
5. Spacewalk on Christmas Eve
The final memorable session of Sunita Williams outside the ISS was on 24th December, 2012 which is Christmas Eve, this day is very significant to billions of people on the earth. This particular extravehicular activity enabled Williams to interact with people and spreads the holiday spirit from the inside of the ISS.
In that joyful spacewalk named as ‘Festive spacewalk,’ Williams and her partner, Kevin Ford, initiated a new ammonia pump module in the place of the previous unhealthy one that created trouble in the cooling system of the ISS to work properly. This eagerness reveals an idealistic belief or a sense of calling among the astronauts –their ability to give their all regardless of what it means- even the world’s Thanksgiving Day that is a symbol of gladness and togetherness.
Conclusion
Sunita Williams has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world of space exploration through her remarkable spacewalks. From her first venture into space to her endurance records and her ability to handle life-threatening situations, Williams has exemplified the courage, skill, and determination required of an astronaut.
Her collaborative efforts with international partners and the unique experience of performing a spacewalk on Christmas Eve further highlight the significance of her contributions to the field. Sunita Williams’ spacewalks have not only advanced scientific research but also inspired generations to reach for the stars.
As we reflect on Sunita Williams’ five most memorable spacewalks, we are reminded of the awe-inspiring nature of space exploration and the extraordinary individuals