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NASA Completes Fifth All-Female Spacewalk to Advance ISS Upgrades

Astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers successfully executed a 6.5-hour mission to prepare the station for power and communication enhancements.

Overview

  • Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers conducted a 6.5-hour spacewalk on May 1, 2025, marking the fifth all-female EVA in NASA's history.
  • The astronauts relocated a communications antenna and installed a mounting bracket to support future solar array installations, boosting ISS power capacity by up to 30%.
  • McClain's glove inspection briefly delayed the start, but Mission Control confirmed it was safe to proceed with the spacewalk.
  • This was McClain's third spacewalk and Ayers' first, showcasing NASA's ongoing commitment to gender representation in space exploration.
  • While primary objectives were achieved, minor deferred tasks will be addressed in upcoming EVAs as part of the ISS maintenance campaign.