NASA Cancels Spacewalk Due to Astronaut Spacesuit Malfunction

NASA was forced to cancel a scheduled spacewalk from the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday after discovering a water leak in the cooling unit of astronaut Tracy Dyson’s spacesuit. The issue arose shortly after the suits switched to battery power in preparation for the extravehicular activity.

The planned operation involved Dyson and her crewmate Mike Barratt, who were tasked with removing a faulty electronics box from a communications antenna on the ISS’s exterior. However, complications began when Dyson reported feeling unusually warm, prompting concerns about her suit’s functionality. “Right now, I’m comfortable, but I do feel a little warm,” Dyson communicated during a live stream of the event, which was abruptly called off around 9 a.m. ET.

Further examination revealed water leakage that raised fears about potential damage to the suit’s electrical connectors. “There’s still water shooting out,” Dyson noted, indicating possible contamination of the suit’s electrical systems. NASA’s immediate response involved safely returning Dyson to the space station’s interior through the airlock while her suit remained operational on battery power.

This incident marks the second recent cancellation of a spacewalk due to issues with spacesuits. Another walk, scheduled for June 13 involving Dyson and Matthew Dominick, was also called off due to a separate “spacesuit discomfort issue” with Dominick’s suit, details of which were withheld to maintain the astronaut’s privacy.

These setbacks occur amidst a series of operational challenges on the ISS, including issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The Starliner, currently docked at the ISS for its first crewed test flight, has encountered problems such as helium leaks and thruster outages, complicating its scheduled return to Earth.

NASA has announced plans for another spacewalk on July 2, aiming to resolve outstanding tasks before the Starliner’s undocking. However, it remains unclear if the recent spacewalk cancellation will impact the timeline for Starliner’s departure. As the situation develops, NASA continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of its crew aboard the ISS.