Sunita Williams Returns to Spacewalks After 12 Years to Repair NASA's NICER Telescope

After a 12-year hiatus, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is preparing to don her spacewalking gear once again. On January 16, 2025, she will join fellow astronaut Nick Hague to conduct a crucial spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS). The mission’s primary goal is to repair the Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) X-ray telescope, which has been hampered by damaged thermal shields.

Addressing a Critical Issue

Since May 2023, NICER's X-ray detectors have been overwhelmed by sunlight leaking through damaged thermal shields. This disruption has severely affected its ability to study neutron stars and their enigmatic properties.

NASA engineers have devised an innovative fix: pie-shaped patches designed to block unwanted sunlight and restore the telescope's functionality. This mission not only ensures NICER can continue its groundbreaking observations but also marks a historic milestone—it will be the first time astronauts have serviced an X-ray telescope in orbit.

A Historic Spacewalk

This repair mission draws parallels to iconic orbital servicing missions, such as the Hubble Space Telescope repairs, and highlights NASA’s commitment to advancing space exploration. NICER’s restoration will help unlock more secrets about neutron stars, one of the universe’s most fascinating and mysterious phenomena.

Additional Tasks on the Agenda

Williams and Hague’s mission goes beyond NICER repairs. The astronauts will also:

Remove outdated radio communication equipment from the ISS.
Collect microbial samples from the station's exterior for research on microbial behavior in space.
Contribute to ongoing studies on fire safety in space and the effects of weightlessness on exercise, paving the way for future long-duration missions.

Extended Stay on the ISS

NASA has confirmed that Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will remain aboard the ISS until March 2024, following delays in the launch of their replacements. This extended stay ensures continuity in the ISS’s operations and scientific endeavors.

Pioneering Space Exploration

Sunita Williams’ return to spacewalking is a testament to her enduring dedication to space exploration. This mission not only tackles critical technical challenges but also furthers our understanding of the universe, inspiring the next generation of explorers and scientists.

As NICER regains its observational capabilities, the mission underscores the importance of maintaining and advancing space-based technologies to explore the cosmos.