US astronaut takes first spacewalk after seven months stuck in orbit
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Stranded NASA Astronaut Steps Out for Spacewalk
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Above: During her eighth spacewalk, Sunita Williams replaces a planar reflector near the SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft docked to the Harmony module’s space-facing port. Image copyright: NASA
The Facts
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams completed a 6.5-hour spacewalk on Thursday, her first since arriving at the International Space Station (ISS) over seven months ago.
Williams, who teamed up with astronaut Nick Hague, completed all her primary objectives for the walk, including replacing a rate gyro assembly, installing patches on the NICER X-ray telescope, and replacing a reflector device on an international docking adapter.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This is a significant achievement in the maintenance of crucial space station operations and scientific equipment. The experienced crew showcased exceptional skill in completing complex repairs to the NICER telescope and other vital systems. This mission highlights NASA's ability to adapt and overcome technical challenges while maintaining space station operations.
Establishment-critical narrative
The astronauts' extended stay on the ISS due to Starliner's technical problems raises serious concerns about spacecraft reliability and crew scheduling. Multiple system failures, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, have resulted in an unplanned ten-month mission that strains resources and impacts future mission planning.
