Today, on May 1, two NASA astronauts will mark a significant milestone in space exploration by conducting the fifth all-female spacewalk in history. Astronauts Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain are set to venture outside the International Space Station (ISS) at 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT), embarking on an extravehicular activity (EVA) that is anticipated to last approximately 6.5 hours.
Space enthusiasts and curious viewers can watch this historic event live on Space.com, courtesy of NASA. Coverage will begin at 6:30 a.m. EDT (1030 GMT), providing an opportunity to witness these pioneering astronauts in action as they perform essential tasks outside the ISS.
During this spacewalk, Ayers and McClain will relocate a vital communications antenna of the space station and install a mounting bracket. This preparation is crucial for the upcoming installation of additional International Space Station Rollout Solar Arrays, known as IROSA. According to NASA officials, these new solar arrays will significantly enhance the station's power generation capabilities by up to 30%. This upgrade will increase the ISS's total available power from 160 kilowatts to a remarkable 215 kilowatts.
This event marks the fifth all-female spacewalk, a remarkable achievement in a field that has historically been male-dominated. The first female-only EVA took place in October 2019, conducted by NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir. Since then, the importance of these all-female missions has been highlighted as a step towards gender equality in space exploration.
The additional solar arrays, which will be installed during a future spacewalk, are expected to arrive at the ISS aboard a SpaceX Dragon commercial resupply services mission later this year. This continuous enhancement of the ISS's capabilities is critical for ongoing research and international collaboration in space.
Join us in celebrating this momentous occasion as Ayers and McClain make history with their extraordinary contributions to space exploration!
