Sunita Williams Breaks Spacewalking Record, Surpasses Peggy Whitson
Team Finance Saathi
31/Jan/2025

What's covered under the Article:
- Sunita Williams breaks the spacewalking record, surpassing Peggy Whitson’s record.
- The spacewalk, part of Expedition 72, lasted 5.5 hours and was streamed live.
- Williams' historic achievement marks her ninth spacewalk, while Butch Wilmore completed his fifth.
On January 30, 2025, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams made history by breaking the spacewalking record previously held by Peggy Whitson, becoming the astronaut with the most cumulative time spent on spacewalks. This monumental achievement occurred during a 5.5-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expedition 72.
Details of the Spacewalk
The spacewalk began at approximately 8 am EST, with both astronauts, Williams and Butch Wilmore, stepping out to perform critical maintenance work on the ISS hardware. Williams surpassed Peggy Whitson’s record of 60 hours and 21 minutes of total spacewalking time, making her the new record-holder for the most cumulative hours spent on spacewalks. This achievement marks a key milestone in the astronaut’s already impressive career in space.
During the spacewalk, Williams worked on maintaining the ISS hardware and also collected surface material samples from both the Destiny laboratory and Quest airlock. These samples are expected to be analyzed to assist with ongoing research related to space station sustainability.
The Spacewalk Process and NASA’s Coverage
The live-streaming of the spacewalk on NASA's YouTube channel and their official website allowed audiences worldwide to witness this historical event. This was the 92nd US spacewalk in history, showcasing the importance of astronauts like Williams and Wilmore in advancing our exploration and research in space.
Both astronauts were part of the Expedition 72 crew, which began on September 23, 2024, and was critical in maintaining the International Space Station's functionality. Williams, known for her accomplishments in space, was wearing the suit with red stripes, while Wilmore wore the unmarked suit.
This spacewalk not only symbolizes Williams' individual achievement but also highlights the NASA program’s commitment to training astronauts who can carry out critical operations in the harsh and challenging environment of space. It also underscores the importance of international cooperation in space exploration, as astronauts from around the world work together to maintain and expand our understanding of space.
Sunita Williams: A Record-Setting Astronaut
Sunita Williams’ incredible achievement extends beyond this single milestone. As a veteran astronaut with numerous accomplishments under her belt, she continues to inspire future generations of explorers. Her latest spacewalk achievement is a testament to her perseverance and expertise in the field of space exploration.
Her accomplishment has cemented her position as one of NASA’s most accomplished astronauts, not only in terms of her spacewalking records but also for the leadership she has demonstrated throughout her career.
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