WORLD NEWS
Glove heater line that blocks spacesuit shoulder movement… The 6 hour 49 minute spacewalk ended safely.
During a spacewalk on September 1 outside the International Space Station, European Space Agency’s Sophie Adenot had limited movement in her left arm, and her colleague Jessica Meir believed that a glove heater harness had become stuck in her left shoulder joint. After loosening and adjusting the joint, the problem was alleviated and the two returned safely to the airlock after 6 hours and 49 minutes.
It was not an accident where the spacesuit was torn or the life support system malfunctioned. NASA described it as a mobility issue, and because of the time delay, non-critical cable and some spectrometer preparation work was moved to the next spacewalk.
How did you respond on site?
When Adenot reported that it was difficult to move his left arm, Meir directly examined the shoulder area of the spacesuit. NASA records suggest that a bundle of wires warming the gloves may have gotten caught in the shoulder joint. Movement improved as the joints were unzipped to allow room for movement, and air traffic control continued to supervise the procedure prior to return.
What did you finish and what did you put off?
The two astronauts replaced the retroreflector used for approaching and docking the spacecraft and replaced a broken high-definition camera. Samples were also collected to examine microorganisms outside the station. Some guide studs and remaining data relay cables for future radiator replacement of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer have been postponed.
What kind of record is 6 hours and 49 minutes?
This activity was the 99th spacewalk for the United States and the 284th spacewalk for the assembly and maintenance of the International Space Station. This is Meir’s seventh spacewalk and Adenot’s third. Although this is only the sixth two-woman spacewalk in history, the results are more important than recording numbers and ensuring a safe return and adjusting the scope of work.
Why do you consider even small obstacles important?
In spacewalks, the very act of bending the arm and grasping the handle is linked to lifeline movement and work safety. Even small resistance can increase fatigue and push your set work time. Therefore, the mission control team first secures the status of the astronauts and room for return, even if they leave low-priority tasks behind.
What is still to be confirmed?
NASA’s first records described a harness jam as the likely cause, but it was not the final engineering investigation report. Results of spacesuit component inspections and new schedules for remaining work should be confirmed in subsequent announcements. This case should not be extended to the conclusion that the entire spacesuit is dangerous or to a major accident.