Washington, March 26: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA is all set to make history on October 21 as the space agency plans to perform the first all-female spacewalk. Astronaut Christina Koch will perform the skywalk with Jessica Meir. The all-female spacewalk was earlier planned in March but was scrapped due to lack of spacesuit availability at the ISS (International Space Station). NASA Scraps First All-Female Spacewalk Citing Lack of Well-Fitting Suits at International Space Station.

Christina Koch and Jessica Meir are currently at the ISS. The announced was made on Friday. Although astronauts and cosmonauts have completed over 200 spacewalks, however, only 15 women had been on a spacewalk for construction and maintenance of ISS. Moon Could be a Chemical Factory for Water: NASA.

When is the First All-Female Spacewalk?

According to NASA, the first all-female spacewalk is scheduled on October 21, 2019. It will be the first time that the two women will be doing a spacewalk together.

Who is Christina Koch And Jessica Meir?

Christina Hammock Koch is an engineer and NASA astronaut of class of 2013. She is currently working onboard the ISS on her first spaceflight as part of Expedition 59, 60 and 61.

Jessica Ulrika Meir is a Swedish-American-Israeli NASA astronaut. She is currently working onboard the ISS on her first spaceflight as a Flight Engineer during Expedition 61 and 62.

Why Was March All-Female Spacewalk Scrapped?

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration had already planned the first all-female spacewalk in March, but the plan was scrapped due to a lack of properly fitted spacesuits. For the spacewalk in March, Christina Koch was slated to head out with astronaut Anne McClain.

Out of 10 spacewalks coming up, first five spacewalks will be for replacing solar array batteries with lithium-ion batteries. The next five will focus on repairs of Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, a scientific instrument "that explores the fundamental nature of the universe," according to NASA.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 05, 2019 06:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).