NASA is gearing up to return to spacewalks outside the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025, following a disturbing incident that led to a suspension of all extravehicular activities. After a tense few months, astronauts can finally prepare for some exciting orbital work, but concerns linger regarding the safety of their aging spacesuits.

The decision to resume spacewalks comes after a troubling spacesuit leak compelled NASA to hit the pause button on these critical missions in June. At a recent press conference, Bill Spetch, the operations and integration manager of NASA's ISS program, indicated that the agency is eyeing plans for new spacewalks in early 2025. He reassured reporters, saying, "It's just a matter of when is the right timing."

In an effort to tackle the issues posed by spacesuit leaks, NASA has replaced several components of the faulty suit, including a crucial seal and the umbilical cord that connects the astronaut to the ISS. Spetch stated that the leaky suit has now been successfully repressurized, which is a promising step towards ensuring astronaut safety during spacewalks. However, the near-catastrophic risks associated with extravehicular activities raise significant alarms. During a troubling live broadcast in June, astronaut Tracy Dyson's suit began leaking water right before a scheduled spacewalk, leading to a dramatic and dangerous situation. "There's water everywhere," Dyson communicated, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time NASA has encountered life-threatening leaks in their spacesuits. Back in May 2022, the agency had to halt spacewalks due to similar incidents, where astronauts reported water leaks in their helmets, an issue that poses serious drowning risks in the vacuum of space. In one particularly harrowing scenario, European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer experienced water seeping into his visor during a spacewalk, raising alarms as he completed tasks outside the ISS.

The recurring problems with NASA's spacesuits underscore an urgent need for innovation. The current Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs) worn by astronauts are over 40 years old and show signs of aging and wear. Crafted initially for the 1970s space shuttle program, these suits are now reaching the end of their service life.

To address this critical issue, NASA has enlisted the help of commercial partners, awarding contracts totaling $3.5 billion to Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace in June 2022 for the development of new spacesuits. However, progress has been uneven—with Collins Aerospace lagging behind on their obligations while Axiom Space introduced new designs last year, expected to be utilized in the upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon.

For now, astronauts will continue their spacewalks in the outdated suits while hoping that recent fixes suffice to keep them safe during their time in low Earth orbit. The excitement for the impending missions is palpable, but as NASA looks towards the future of space exploration, the spotlight remains firmly on upgrading their vital spacesuit technology to ensure the safety of their crew among the stars.

Stay tuned for thrilling updates on NASA's spacewalks and groundbreaking advancements in spacesuit technology that could redefine space exploration!