In an exciting milestone for space exploration, NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers are gearing up for a spacewalk on Thursday to boost the International Space Station’s (ISS) energy capabilities and improve its communication systems. Scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. EDT, the 6-hour, 35-minute mission will be broadcast live on NASA+ starting at 6:30 a.m., offering a front-row seat to this inspiring event.

This spacewalk marks a significant moment in NASA history as the fifth all-female spacewalk and the first of 2025. For McClain, 45, this will be her third spacewalk, showcasing her expertise, while Ayers, 36, will make her spacewalk debut, adding a fresh set of eyes to the mission. The 275th spacewalk in ISS history, this endeavor is part of ongoing efforts to maintain and upgrade the orbiting laboratory, ensuring it remains a hub for groundbreaking science.

A pair of NASA astronauts became the fifth all-female team to perform a space walk today. Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers stepped outside the International Space Station, preparing the facility for new solar panels, among other tasks.

— (Bluey Fan Account) K9 News (@SausageAnchor) May 2, 2025

The astronauts’ primary tasks include installing a mounting bracket to prepare for new, lightweight solar panels arriving later this year via a SpaceX Dragon resupply mission. These innovative panels, significantly lighter than traditional solar arrays, will increase the ISS’s power output by 30 percent, from 160 kilowatts to an impressive 215 kilowatts. This upgrade will provide more energy for experiments and operations, paving the way for future discoveries.

Additionally, McClain and Ayers will relocate a communications antenna by 18 inches to ensure unobstructed connections with incoming spacecraft. “This small adjustment will keep our communications crystal clear,” said Diana Trujillo, spacewalk flight director, during a recent press briefing. These enhancements reflect NASA’s commitment to keeping the ISS at the forefront of space exploration.

I browsed thru n they are pretty rigid real astronauts, they will conduct 6hr long space walk today. Godspeed to them, not like those nut(less)job all female asss-ssu-turo-nut with daisy n craps last month.#nasa #SpaceX #ET phone..hom... NO!! NO PHONE CALL!! TEXT ONLY ET!!! pic.twitter.com/WGG1K0uORY

— lokinoc ∑ aka mr.perFAQ (@noturaveragejj) May 1, 2025

Inside the ISS, a dedicated team supports the mission. Commander Takuya Onishi from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and NASA Flight Engineer Jonny Kim, a trained physician, will assist the astronauts in donning and doffing their spacesuits. The station also hosts three Russian cosmonauts—Sergey Ryzhikov, Alexey Zubritsky, and Kirill Peskov—creating a collaborative, international effort. Currently, seven crew members are aboard, working together to advance science in microgravity.

To prepare for the spacewalk, McClain and Ayers will breathe pure oxygen for hours to eliminate nitrogen from their bodies, ensuring their safety while tethered to the ISS. Meanwhile, the Expedition 73 crew continues to push the boundaries of science. Recently, Kim captured images of tomato plants for a space agriculture study exploring whether crops can thrive without photosynthesis in microgravity. Such research could revolutionize farming on Earth and support long-term space missions.

#NASA space walk to upgrade power generation for the international space station. https://t.co/97cf1fbL8v pic.twitter.com/eDnX3UC9sY

— MagnetizedPlasma (@MagnetReconnect) May 1, 2025

The crew also made strides in nanotechnology, with McClain and Kim working in the Kibo laboratory to create DNA-like nanomaterials. These samples, analyzed with advanced light tools, could lead to breakthroughs in therapeutics, vaccines, and regenerative medicine. Additionally, Kim collaborated with Ryzhikov and Zubritsky for vein scans using the Ultrasound 2 device, allowing ground-based doctors to monitor crew health in real time.

As the ISS approaches its 25th anniversary of continuous human presence in November 2025, this spacewalk underscores its enduring role as a beacon of innovation and international cooperation. Since November 2, 2000, the ISS has been a home and laboratory for astronauts, fostering discoveries that benefit humanity and inspire future generations. McClain and Ayers’ mission is a testament to the power of teamwork, ingenuity, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge in the vast frontier of space.