Thu Jan 30 16:58:02 UTC 2025: ## Stranded Astronauts Conduct Historic Spacewalk After Eight-Month Delay
**Houston, TX – January 30, 2025** – After an eight-month delay caused by technical issues with their return vehicle, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore conducted a successful six-and-a-half-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) today. The spacewalk, livestreamed by NASA on X, marked their first joint extravehicular activity (EVA) since arriving at the ISS in June 2024 aboard a Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
Originally scheduled for a brief eight-day mission, the astronauts became stranded when technical problems grounded their return craft. NASA subsequently announced in August that SpaceX would facilitate their return, though delays in readying a suitable spacecraft pushed the repatriation date back to February.
During today’s EVA, Commander Williams and Wilmore performed crucial maintenance tasks on the ISS and collected exterior samples, including wiping down sections to check for surviving terrestrial microbes. “Here we go, Mr. Wilmore,” remarked Williams as they began their work 420 kilometers above Earth.
NASA and SpaceX are currently working together to safely return the astronauts to Earth as soon as possible, while simultaneously preparing for the launch of the Crew-10 mission to ensure a smooth handover between expeditions. The unexpected extended stay highlighted the challenges of space travel and the collaborative efforts required for successful mission completion.
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