NASA astronaut Suni Williams has set a new record for cumulative spacewalking time by a woman, exceeding 62 hours. This achievement occurred during a 5.5-hour spacewalk she conducted with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore on January 30, 2025, outside the International Space Station (ISS). This marks the 274th spacewalk in the ISS’s history, dedicated to assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.
Williams’ new record surpasses the previous record held by Peggy Whitson. This is the second time Williams has claimed this title, having held the record previously before Whitson surpassed her in 2017. While Whitson still holds the record for the most spacewalks by a woman with ten EVAs, Williams now holds the record for total time spent spacewalking by a female astronaut.
This latest spacewalk brings Williams’ total EVA time to 62 hours and six minutes, placing her fourth overall for cumulative spacewalk time across all astronauts. The EVA also added to Wilmore’s spacewalking experience, bringing his total to 31 hours and 2 minutes.
The primary objective of this particular spacewalk was not to break records, but rather to perform critical tasks on the ISS. These tasks included removing a faulty radio communications unit and collecting microbiological samples. The radio unit removal proved challenging, with previous attempts by other astronauts unsuccessful. Williams and Wilmore successfully completed the task, though it took longer than the initially planned three hours. The microbiological samples are being collected to investigate whether the ISS releases microorganisms into space and if these microbes can survive on the station’s exterior.
The successful retrieval of the radio unit was a highlight of the EVA. Wilmore described the process as a series of “jiggle, jiggle, jiggle” motions before the unit finally came loose. This success, along with the record-breaking achievement, underscores the importance and complexity of ongoing operations aboard the ISS.
Williams and Wilmore were originally part of an eight-day mission to the ISS that began in June of the previous year. Due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, their stay was extended significantly. They are currently expected to return to Earth in late March or early April aboard a SpaceX Dragon craft.
This latest EVA demonstrates the continuing vital work conducted by astronauts on the ISS, highlighting their contributions to space exploration and scientific research. With Williams’ new record and the successful completion of their assigned tasks, this spacewalk represents another milestone in the ongoing human endeavor in space.
