In photos: The amazing spacewalks of Expedition 61
The astronauts of Expedition 61 have tackled some historic spacewalks during their mission to the International Space Station. Not only did two NASA astronauts conduct the first all-woman spacewalk on Oct. 18, but two of their male compatriots completed some of the most challenging spacewalks in history to repair an ailing dark matter experiment known as the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer. Click through this gallery for photos of the spacewalkers of Expedition 61 in action.
Expedition 61 Cmdr. Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency assists NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan (left) and Christina Koch (right) in their U.S. spacesuits before a spacewalk on Oct. 6, 2019. During their spacewalk, Morgan and Koch replaced some old batteries on the space station's solar arrays.
NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan (left) and Christina Koch (right) are suited up inside the Quest airlock before beginning a 7 hour-long spacewalk on Oct. 6, 2019.
NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan works to replace old nickel-hydrogen batteries with new lithium-ion batteries during his second spacewalk with fellow NASA astronaut Christina Koch on Oct. 11, 2019. During that spacewalk, Morgan and Koch paid tribute to cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, the world's first spacewalker, who died that same day.
Christina Koch (left) and Andrew Morgan work while tethered on the Port 6 truss segment of the International Space Station to replace older hydrogen-nickel batteries with newer, more powerful lithium-ion batteries during the six-hour and 45-minute spacewalk, on Oct. 11, 2019.
NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir prepare for their first spacewalk together on Oct. 18, 2019, to replace a failed power controller on the International Space Station's P6 truss structure.
NASA astronauts Christina Koch (left) and Jessica Meir fist bump each other during a spacesuit fit check on Oct. 12, 2019.
NASA astronauts Jessica Meir (left) and Christina Koch pose together during a spacesuit fit check on Oct. 12, 2019, ahead of their historic first all-woman spacewalk.
NASA astronaut Jessica Meir waves at the camera during her historic spacewalk with fellow NASA astronaut Christina Koch (out of frame), on Oct. 18, 2019.
NASA astronaut Jessica Meir prepares to exit the crew lock portion of the Quest airlock to head out into the vacuum of space on Oct. 18, 2019.
NASA astronaut Jessica Meir is pictured during a spacewalk with fellow NASA astronaut Christina Koch (out of frame), on Oct. 18, 2019.
NASA astronaut Christina Koch takes a "space-selfie" with the Earth behind her — and reflecting in her helmet — during her spacewalk together with fellow NASA astronaut Jessica Meir (out of frame), on Oct. 18, 2019.
NASA astronaut Christina Koch prepares to exit the crew lock portion of the Quest airlock and head out into the vacuum of space for her spacewalk together with NASA astronaut Jessica Meir (not pictured) on Oct. 18, 2019.
NASA astronaut Jessica Meir is pictured tethered to the outside of the International Space Station during her spacewalk together with NASA astronaut Christina Koch (not pictured), on Oct. 18, 2019.
NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan waves as he is photographed during the first spacewalk to repair the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, on Nov. 15, 2019.
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Look ma, no hands! NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan waves as he is photographed next to the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (lower left) during his spacewalk on Nov. 15, 2019.
European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano "stands" on the end of the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm during the first of four spacewalks to repair the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer experiment together with NASA astronaut Drew Morgan, on Nov. 15, 2019.
"My first #SpacewalkForAMS task: install a special handling aid before attempting the removal of the debris shield," ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano tweeted along with this photo, on Nov. 20, 2019.
The debris shield that once protected NASA's Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer from micrometeoroid impacts floats away from the International Space Station after two astronauts removed it and flung it into space during a spacewalk on Nov. 15, 2019.
European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano takes a "space-selfie" with his spacesuit's helmet visor down during the second spacewalk to repair the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, on Nov. 22, 2019.
NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan is tethered to the Starboard-3 truss segment of the International Space Station during the second spacewalk to repair the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, on Nov. 22, 2019.
NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan, whose spacesuit is outfitted with a variety of tools and cameras, holds on to a handrail during the second spacewalk to repair the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, on Nov. 22, 2019.
NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan is tethered to the Starboard-3 truss segment of the International Space Station during the second spacewalk to repair the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, on Nov. 22, 2019.
European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano holds a camera during the second spacewalk to repair the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, on Nov. 22, 2019.
European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano is attached to a portable foot restraint at the end of the Canadarm2 robotic arm during the second spacewalk to repair the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, on Nov. 22, 2019.
NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan points his camera toward himself to take a "space-selfie" on Nov. 22, 2019.
NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan prepares to take a photograph with his special space camera, which is protected from the microgravity environment of space with special shielding, on Nov. 22, 2019.
European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano takes a photo while attached to a portable foot restraint at the end of the Canadarm2 robotic arm during a spacewalk on Nov. 22, 2019.
European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano takes a photograph during the second spacewalk to repair the International Space Station's cosmic particle detector, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, on Nov. 22, 2019.
NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan takes a "space-selfie" with his spacesuit's helmet visor down during the second spacewalk to repair the International Space Station's cosmic particle detector, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, on Nov. 22, 2019.
NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan (left) and European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano suit up for their second spacewalk together on Nov. 22, 2019.
NASA astronaut and U.S. Army Colonel Andrew Morgan displays his Army pride ahead of the Army versus Navy football game on Dec. 12, 2019, during the third spacewalk together with ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, on Dec. 2, 2019.
NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan is pictured outside the International Space Station on Dec. 2, 2019, during his third spacewalk to repair the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer with ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano (not pictured).
European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano carries the new thermal pump system that was installed on the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer during the spacewalk on Dec. 2, 2019.
European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano snapped this shot of his feet inside of the foot restraint while "riding" the Canadarm2 robotic arm during a spacewalk on Dec. 2, 2019.
On Jan. 15, 2020, NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir performed a spacewalk outside the International Space Station. Here Koch is seen during the EVA.
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During the Jan. 15 spacewalk, astronaut Christina Koch worked on the mission while safely tethered to the space station's Port-6 truss structure as she and astronaut Jessica Meir finalized upgrading its power systems.
Attached to an articulating portable foot restraint during the extravehicular activity, astronaut Jessica Meir works on the tasks assigned for this mission. Astronaut Christina Koch's feet are visible in the background in this Jan. 20, 2020 image.
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@astro_luca captured @Astro_Christina working on the Port-6 truss with Meir's feet visible in the background in the articulating portable foot restraint on Jan. 15, 2020. Koch praised the "moment of teamwork" she'll remember forever.
Another image by @astro_luca captures additional teamwork moments on Jan. 15, 2020, as the duo changes out batteries on the International Space Station's Port-6 truss.
During the Jan. 15, 2020 spacewalk, NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch install new lithium-ion batteries on the International Space Station. This upgrade allows the station to store and distribute power collected from solar arrays on the Port-6 truss.
NASA astronaut Jessica Meir snapped a "space-selfie" during the Jan. 15, 2020 spacewalk with team member Christina Koch, who's out of frame.
As Koch and Meir upgrade the ISS's power systems allowing power collected by the Port-6 truss' solar arrays to be stored for future use, Koch snaps a few images of her own during the Jan. 15 event.
With the Atlantic Ocean 256 miles below, NASA astronaut Christina Koch works to complete assigned missions during her Jan. 15 spacewalk with NASA's Jessica Meir.
Displaying their amazing teamwork @Astro_Jessica muses that "life is always better with a friend at your side (or at your feet)" as Meir and astronaut Christina Koch transfer the new battery, preparing to upgrade the ISS's power supply on Jan. 17, 2020.
Stealing a moment during her Jan. 17 spacewalk with NASA's Christina Koch, astronaut Jessica Meir captured this stunning image of Earth miles below.
The two female astronauts — Christina Koch and Jessica Meir — prepare for the Jan. 19 spacewalk following technical studying, airlock preparation and conferencing. @Astro_Christina offers advice: "Double braid is the way to go" for spacewalk hairstyles.
While completing their final briefing in preparation for their Jan. 20 spacewalk, they prep their hair in double braids that "fits snug under the com cap, out of the helmet seal."
Near the Port-6 truss structure's solar array, astronaut Christina Koch makes efforts to finalize the upgrade of the ISS's power systems on the Jan. 20, 2020 spacewalk.
If you look closely at the reflection on astronaut Jessica Meir's helmet you'll see NASA's Christina Koch photographing her crewmember during the Jan. 20 spacewalk.
As astronaut Jessica Meir works to upgrade the International Space Station's power systems during the Jan. 20 spacewalk, astronaut Christina Koch can be seen snapping her picture in the reflection in Meir's helmet.
During the Jan. 20 spacewalk to finalize the space station's power systems upgrade, NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch work together to complete the mission.
Astronaut Meir's spacewalking tools are visible in this image outside the space station. The spacewalker carries pistol grip tools and is attached to an articulating portable foot restraint during the Jan. 20 event.
Seen here after completing their spacewalk mission on Jan. 20, 2020, NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir pose with other crewmates inside the International Space Station.
Following their mission to swap out batteries for the ISS's power system, astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir pose with two other teammates inside the space station on Jan. 20, 2020.
During a spacewalk on Jan. 20, 2020, NASA's Jessica Meir works to finalize upgrading the International Space Station's Port-6 truss structure's power systems. Astronaut Christina Koch snapped Meir during the pair's spacewalk.
Finalizing thermal repairs on the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer during a Jan. 25, 2020 spacewalk, NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan is safely tethered to the orbiting International Space Station. The repairs on the dark matter and antimatter detector took the spacewalkers more than six hours.
NASA's Andrew Morgan repairs the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer during a more than six hour spacewalk on Jan. 25, 2020.
Safely tethered to the International Space Station during a Jan. 25, 2020, spacewalk, NASA's Andrew Morgan repairs the dark matter and antimatter detector, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.
During the Jan. 25, 2020, spacewalk ESA's Luca Parmitano works on the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer while tethered to the ISS.
While attached to the Canadarm2 robotic arm, astronaut Luca Parmitano of the ESA completes repairs to the dark matter and antimatter detector during the more than six hour spacewalk on Jan. 25, 2020.
ESA's Luca Parmitano completes thermal repairs on the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer during the Jan. 25, 2020 extravehicular activity.
Reflection of his camera in his spacesuit's helmet visor makes a great "space-selfie" for astronaut Luca Parmitano during his Jan. 25, 2020 spacewalk.
With a specially protected camera, NASA's Andrew Morgan takes pictures during a Jan. 25, 2020 spacewalk. The camera is shielded from the effects of microgravity.
While tethered to the International Space Station, astronaut Luca Parmitano of the ESA completes thermal repairs on the dark matter and antimatter detector on Jan. 25, 2020.
Outside the International Space Station on Jan. 25, 2020 astronauts Andrew Morgan of NASA and Luca Parmitano of the ESA get ahead on maintenance for the orbiting station.
During their Jan. 25, 2020 spacewalk, astronauts Andrew Morgan and Luca Parmitano get ahead on maintenance tasks outside the International Space Station.
After finishing thermal repairs on the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, ESA's Luca Parmiatno works on the maintenance to-do list outside the ISS.
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