Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who has been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over eight months, is set to return to spacewalks after a 12-year hiatus. On the 16th of this month, Williams will step out of the station alongside fellow astronaut Nick Hague to repair the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) X-ray telescope.

The mission aims to address a critical issue caused by sunlight penetrating damaged thermal shields, which has been disrupting NICER’s ability to observe neutron stars. This spacewalk marks a groundbreaking moment as it will be the first time astronauts perform maintenance on an X-ray telescope in orbit.

Williams and Hague will exit the Quest airlock to carry out this repair mission. Apart from restoring NICER’s functionality, the duo will also remove outdated radio communication equipment and collect microbial samples from the exterior of the ISS. These samples are vital for ongoing research into fire safety in space and the effects of weightlessness on physical exercise.

In an earlier announcement, NASA confirmed that Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore will remain aboard the ISS until at least March 2025. The extension follows a delay in the launch of their replacements.

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This spacewalk not only showcases Williams’ expertise and dedication but also highlights the critical advancements in space science and technology.