NASA Announces Comeback for ISS Spacewalks in 2025 After Spacesuit Scare!

In an exciting update for space enthusiasts, NASA has confirmed plans to resume spacewalks at the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025 after suspending such activities due to alarming leaks in astronauts' spacesuits. The agency had put a halt to extravehicular activities back in June, but now it seems that the astronauts are gearing up to take to the void of space once more, performing vital maintenance and upgrades to the ISS.

During a recent press briefing, Bill Spetch, the operations and integration manager for NASA's ISS program, shared that they're looking to set a launch date for these spacewalks in early 2025. He stated, “It’s just a matter of when is the right timing," indicating that safety remains the agency's top priority. NASA has since repaired a critical seal and umbilical connection on the problematic spacesuit, successfully repressurizing it.

The urgency for these repairs stems from the serious safety risks posed by water leaks inside spacesuits — a danger that could threaten the lives of astronauts working in the harsh environment of space. During the last scheduled spacewalk, astronauts were forced to cancel their mission when astronaut Tracy Dyson reported water leaking into her suit, saying during a live feed, “There’s water everywhere.” This incident is part of a pattern; in June 2022, astronauts faced similar fears when water intrusion inside helmets became a frequent concern.

NASA's troubles with spacesuit leaks aren't a new phenomenon. Back in 2022, ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer also experienced unexpected moisture inside his helmet during his first spacewalk, causing concerns among the team. Moreover, in a harrowing incident in 2013, astronaut Luca Parmitano was forced to end his spacewalk because of excessive water leaking into his helmet, severely impairing his ability to breathe and see.

The aging technology of NASA's extravehicular mobility units (EMU) is increasingly under scrutiny; some of these suits are over 40 years old and are rapidly reaching the end of their operational life. To tackle this escalating crisis, NASA has turned to commercial partners for next-generation spacesuit development. Contracts awarded to companies like Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace, totaling approximately $3.5 billion, represent a significant shift as the agency looks to modernize its spacesuit technology.

While Axiom has already showcased new suit designs, Collins Aerospace seems to be lagging behind in its promises. The upcoming Artemis missions, which aim to return humans to the Moon, also depend on the successful deployment of these new suits, which are set for testing on the ISS before their lunar debut.

For now, astronauts will continue to venture out in the older suits, with temporary fixes in place aimed at enhancing safety. But as the world watches, all eyes are on NASA’s ability to not only resume thrilling spacewalks but to ensure the safety of its crew while doing so. Will NASA's ambitious goals lead to a new era of space exploration, or will the challenges of old technologies continue to haunt them? Stay tuned for more updates on this gripping saga!