NASA’s first spacewalk of 2024 was unexpectedly called off just about an hour before it was set to begin at the International Space Station on Thursday morning. The spacewalk, involving NASA astronauts Tracy C. Dyson and Matthew Dominick, was postponed due to a spacesuit discomfort issue. The agency did not specify which astronaut or both astronauts were experiencing the discomfort, but it was clear that the problem could not be resolved in time for the spacewalk to proceed as planned.
The spacewalk would have been Dyson’s fourth and Dominick’s first, and was expected to last around six-and-a-half hours. The astronauts were scheduled to spend some of their time swabbing exterior surfaces as part of research to find out if microorganisms released through the station’s vents can survive the hostile conditions of space. This research could help scientists learn more about the possibility of life existing in other off-Earth locations, as well as to help confirm whether any life that’s discovered somewhere like Mars is really from there or was actually brought on a mission from Earth.
Although the spacewalk was called off, the research will still be undertaken, albeit a little later than expected. The next spacewalk at the orbital outpost is currently scheduled for Monday, June 24, followed by another on Tuesday, July 2. The astronauts for those walks have yet to be named.
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick1
The decision to postpone the spacewalk was made despite assurances from NASA that the crew members on the station are healthy, and spacesuits are functioning as expected. However, it’s not uncommon for spacewalks to be called off due to unexpected issues. In previous instances, spacewalks have been delayed or canceled due to a variety of reasons, including damaged equipment, malfunctioning spacesuits, and even concerns about the safety of the astronauts.
The safety of astronauts is, of course, of paramount importance, and NASA’s decision to postpone the spacewalk was likely a precautionary measure to ensure that the astronauts involved are able to complete their tasks safely and comfortably. The agency will likely conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the discomfort issue and take steps to prevent it from happening again in the future.
In the meantime, the astronauts will have to wait until next week to conduct their spacewalks. Despite the setback, NASA is expected to continue conducting its research and experiments at the International Space Station, which is a vital component of its efforts to explore the universe and better understand the nature of space and space travel.
