NASA agrees to resume spacewalking on the International Space Station

NASA has given the green light to resume spacewalks outside the International Space Station (ISS) after completing an investigation into the discovery of a thin layer of moisture inside the helmet of European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer in March after the station’s airlock was recompressed after nearly seven hours. of a space walk.

The first of the three planned spacewalks is scheduled to begin in mid-November, With the aim of continuing the work of installing deployable solar panels, called iROSA.

The investigation, which included shipping the spacesuit Maurer wore for analysis as part of the SpaceX CRS-25 mission, revealed no hardware malfunctions inside the suit. Perhaps the reason for the presence of water in the structure is due to the performance of the integrated system, Where various variables, such as crew voltage and crew cooling settings, generated relatively larger amounts of condensation within the system.

Because of these results, NASA has updated operating procedures and developed new mitigation devices To reduce water build-up and absorption as it appears. These measures will help contain any fluids in the hull to continue to keep the crew safe.

“Crew safety is the highest priority for NASA and our international partners,” said Catherine Lueders, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Directorate.

Thanks to the investigation results, additional operating procedures, and mitigation devices, the NASA management team has agreed to return to operations outside the International Space Station.