NASA Calls Off Spacewalk: Astronaut’s Spacesuit Malfunction Forces Mission Abort
Twice in a row, spacewalks planned for the International Space Station (ISS) have been abruptly canceled due to issues with astronauts' spacesuits.
The latest incident involved a malfunction in astronaut Tracy Dyson's suit, prompting NASA to call off the mission on Monday morning.
Water Leak in Spacesuit Cooling System Leads to Abort
The planned 6.5-hour spacewalk was called off just moments before Dyson and fellow astronaut Mike Barratt were prepared to exit the ISS. A water leak was discovered in the cooling system of Dyson's suit during the pre-walk check, right after switching the spacesuits to battery power.
NASA calls off spacewalk after spacesuit water leak https://t.co/htYjP8GBvp
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 25, 2024
Source: Twitter/The Associated Press
Spacesuit cooling systems are essential for maintaining a comfortable temperature for astronauts during spacewalks.
"Right now, I'm comfortable, but I do feel a little warm," remarked Tracy Dyson during a live stream after the mission was aborted. Dyson also expressed concern about the potential impact of the water leak on the electrical systems of the suit.
Astronaut Safety Main Priority, Second Spacesuit Issue in Short Span
While safely returning Dyson back into the ISS from the airlock was the primary focus, NASA emphasized that neither astronaut was ever in any danger.
This latest incident marks the second time in recent weeks that a spacewalk has been called off due to spacesuit malfunctions. Previously, a spacewalk scheduled for June 13th involving Dyson and astronaut Matthew Dominick was scrubbed due to a "spacesuit discomfort issue" with Dominick's suit. Citing astronaut privacy, NASA has not revealed further details about the nature of that problem.
Challenges Mount for ISS Crew: Next Spacewalk Scheduled for July 2nd
The back-to-back cancellations add to a series of recent operational hurdles for the ISS crew. Despite the setbacks, NASA is still aiming for another spacewalk on July 2nd.
This upcoming mission needs to be completed before approving the undocking and return of Boeing's Starliner capsule, which is currently on its first crewed test flight to the ISS.
The Starliner mission itself has faced its own set of challenges, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions, delaying its planned return to Earth.
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