On This Day: 18th October

On October 18, 2019, NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch completed the first all-female spacewalk, marking a significant milestone in space exploration and gender equality. Key points: 1. The spacewalk lasted 7 hours and 17 minutes. 2. Their primary task was replacing a faulty battery charge/discharge unit on the International Space Station's exterior. 3. An earlier attempt in March 2019 was postponed due to a lack of properly sized spacesuits for both women. 4. This was the first time a spacewalk was performed by an all-female team. 5. The astronauts received a congratulatory phone call from the White House during the spacewalk. Implications: - Demonstrated women's capabilities in complex space operations. - Inspired young girls worldwide to pursue careers in STEM and space exploration. - Highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusion in space programs. - Drew attention to the need for properly sized equipment for all astronauts. - Sparked discussions about gender representation in space exploration and STEM fields.