NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has made history by breaking the record for the most cumulative spacewalking time by a female astronaut, logging an impressive 62 hours and 6 minutes. This achievement surpasses the previous record of 60 hours and 21 minutes, set by former astronaut Peggy Whitson.
Williams, who has been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) alongside fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore since June 2024, reached this milestone during a spacewalk conducted on Thursday. The duo ventured outside the ISS to perform critical maintenance tasks, including removing malfunctioning radio communication equipment and collecting samples from the station’s exterior to study potential microbial growth.
NASA officially recognized her record-breaking accomplishment in a social media post on X, stating, “NASA astronaut Suni Williams just surpassed former astronaut Peggy Whitson’s total spacewalking time of 60 hours and 21 minutes.”
Originally, Williams and Wilmore’s mission was scheduled to last just eight days. However, due to unforeseen complications, their stay aboard the ISS has stretched to an unprecedented 238 days. The unexpected extension has raised concerns regarding the physical and psychological effects of prolonged space missions on astronauts, leading to ongoing discussions about necessary precautions and countermeasures for extended stays in microgravity.
NASA has acknowledged the challenges posed by the prolonged mission and is actively collaborating with SpaceX to develop a safe and effective strategy for bringing the astronauts back to Earth. The agency continues to monitor their health and well-being while working to ensure a secure return journey in the near future.
Williams’ record-breaking achievement not only highlights her endurance and dedication but also serves as a testament to the resilience of astronauts working in space under extreme conditions.
