On March 29, NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Christina Koch were scheduled to become the first crew composed solely of females to conduct a spacewalk outside the International Space Station. Part of Expedition 59, the seven-hour spacewalk would have made history and written a new chapter for women in space. Unfortunately, NASA just announced in a press release that the mission was being scrapped — partly due to a lack of sufficient outerwear.
NASA Cancels the First All-Female Spacewalk Due To Lack of Women’s Spacesuits
“McClain learned during her first spacewalk that a medium-size hard upper torso — essentially the shirt of the spacesuit — fits her best. Because only one medium-size torso can be made ready by Friday, March 29, Koch will wear it.”
Properly fitting spacesuits are essential for the safety of the mission.
While they are both still scheduled to take spacewalks in the coming months, they will now share those spacewalks with men.
From left to right: Christina Kock and Anne McClain. (Photo: NASA)
On March 22, McClain became the 13th woman to perform a spacewalk, and Koch will become the 14th on March 29, according to The Guardian.
Spacewalks are mainly conducted for the purpose of repairs, scientific experiments, testing new equipment, and maintenance.
H/T: The Guardian
This article has been updated on March 26, 2019.