“It’s going to be an incredibly busy period,” said Mark Thompson, NASA’s program manager for the International Space Station, during a press briefing. “We’re thrilled about the upcoming missions and can’t wait to get started.” Both Carter and Lane have trained in medium-sized suits for the past six years, and NASA has confirmed that two medium-sized suits are available for their historic spacewalk. “We strive to predict the sizes that each astronaut will require based on their training suits, but individual needs can change in microgravity,” noted Anna White from NASA’s public affairs office after the previous all-female spacewalk was postponed.
Carter will be participating in three spacewalks this October, scheduled for the 6th and 11th, followed by the significant event on the 21st alongside Lane. Carter will remain aboard the ISS until February 2020, marking the longest single spaceflight by a woman, while Lane will spend over six months in orbit. Both astronauts have been in training together as part of the same astronaut class.
The upcoming spacewalks will focus on replacing the space station’s nickel-hydrogen batteries with upgraded lithium-ion batteries, which are more efficient and durable. They will also enhance the station’s power system. The newly arranged spacewalk became feasible after NASA sent a new spacesuit designed with a medium-size hard upper torso to fulfill staffing requirements, as there is a growing number of medium-suit astronauts in the pipeline.
Safe travels to these remarkable women embarking on this stellar mission! For more insights into pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource: NHS on Intrauterine Insemination. And for those interested in boosting fertility, Make a Mom is a fantastic authority on the subject.
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In summary, the first all-female spacewalk is a monumental event set to take place later this month, showcasing the achievements of female astronauts and paving the way for future generations in space exploration.