Both NASA crew members are currently experienced spacewalkers. Glover has already been on two spacewalks since arriving at the space station in November. This will be his third.
Rubins previously performed spacewalks during her first rotation on the space station in 2016, so this will also be her third.
If this Sunday’s spacewalk seems earlier than previous spacewalks – especially given that it takes place on weekends – it is. But “it’s not really a Monday through Friday program,” Kenny Todd, deputy manager of the International Space Station program, recalled at a press conference Wednesday.
Rubins and Glover will prepare for upcoming solar panel upgrades by assembling and installing modification kits.
While the station’s current solar panels are still working properly, they are in the process of being downgraded. This deterioration is expected because they only last about 15 years and were installed in December 2000 – so they basically outlived the warranty.
Brand-new solar panels will be installed later this year for six of the arrays currently on the station, increasing the station’s power from 160 kilowatts to 215 kilowatts, NASA said. The solar panels will be launched to the space station in a SpaceX vehicle in June.
During the spacewalk, Rubin’s crew member 1 is in the suit with red stripes and Glover is crew member 2 in a suit without stripes.
Rubins will also work with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Soichi Noguchi on a spacewalk on March 5 to complete a number of tasks, including removing ammonia from the Early Ammonia System, replacing a wireless video transceiver, and installing it. of a ‘stiffener’. on the thermal cover of the Quest airlock. This prevents the cover from blowing out when the atmosphere is released when the hatch is opened.
This will be the 235th spacewalk in the station’s history.
From Earth to Space
“Victor, it’s so good to see you, the history you’re doing, we’re so proud of you,” Harris said.
Glover is the first African-American to conduct a long-term mission on the space station in the history of the orbiting laboratory.
During their conversation, Harris and Glover discussed those who came before Glover and inspired him.
“I often think about that part,” said Glover. “All seven of us here are part of an amazing legacy of manned spaceflight. It’s a time we should celebrate and appreciate, but what I’m really excited about most is the future of manned spaceflight. and the fact that this is going to be the future. This is what we’re going to do. We want to make sure we can keep doing new things. “
Harris agreed. ‘My mother would say to me,’ Kamala, you may be the first to do many things. Make sure you are not the last. ‘
When Harris asked Glover about his first two spacewalks and his perspective on Earth, Glover said he had followed the advice of his fellow crewmembers to “ keep your world small, keep your focus on the thing right in front of you, and slowly work that out. expand. worldview. “
The first time he saw Earth on a spacewalk, he wanted to enjoy it for hours, Glover said. But he focused on the many tasks ahead, and the spacewalk was “busy and beautiful.”
Glover also spoke about how fragile Earth looks from space, especially our thin atmosphere, and “how special it is that there is human life on this planet.”
“I must do everything I can to protect it,” said Glover.