Amateur Captures NASA Astronaut’s Record-Setting Spacewalk in Stunning Photo

A remarkable image recently taken by a dedicated amateur astrophotographer highlights NASA astronaut Suni Williams during a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS). This snapshot caught Williams at a historic juncture as she established a new record for the longest cumulative spacewalk by a female astronaut.

Suni Williams Sets New Spacewalk Benchmark

In her most recent extravehicular activity (EVA), Suni Williams surpassed former record-holder Peggy Whitson for the highest total hours spent on spacewalks by a woman.

Williams now boasts an impressive 62 hours and 6 minutes of EVA time, positioning her fourth on NASA’s all-time list for spacewalk duration. This milestone occurred during a vital mission aboard the ISS alongside fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore.

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NASA recognized Williams’ groundbreaking accomplishment in an Instagram announcement, praising the EVA as a crucial achievement for the space agency.

Throughout the spacewalk, Williams and Wilmore conducted essential scientific operations outside the station, including sample collection and hardware maintenance, all framed by breathtaking views of our planet Earth.

Amateur Astrophotographer Documents Historic Spacewalk

This historic spacewalk also marked a proud achievement for amateur astrophotographer Charline Giroud.

Giroud, a Screening Scientist at the University of Oxford, has spent nearly four years tracking and photographing the ISS. Capturing an astronaut mid-spacewalk had long been a personal goal, which came to fruition on January 30, 2025, when she snapped an exceptional image of Williams during the EVA.

While the ISS traversed over the UK, Giroud observed Williams moving along the station’s Canadarm-2, a robotic arm ferrying her between workstations. The timing coincided perfectly with Giroud watching NASA’s live broadcast of the spacewalk.

Suni-Williams-can-be-seen-at-the-end-of-the-robotic-arm-3b41a09f0f1bef15246347bb4248e8c0.jpeg — Suni Williams is visible at the tip of the robotic arm. Photo courtesy of Charline Giroud

The image captures Williams as a tiny figure at the arm’s end, offering a rare vantage point from more than 400 kilometers (250 miles) beneath the ISS.

Giroud shared that she was fortunate to have clear skies during the second ISS flyover of the UK, as her initial attempt was hindered by cloud cover.

Investigating Microbial Life in Space

Beyond breaking records, Williams and Wilmore’s activities during the spacewalk also contributed to pivotal scientific research. They gathered samples from surfaces near life support system vents on the ISS.

This effort aligns with the ISS External Microorganisms initiative, dedicated to understanding how microbes adapt and survive in the extreme conditions of space.

NASA explained that the program’s goal is to study how microorganisms endure and propagate in space. Sampling near life support vents helps scientists assess the influence of these tiny life forms on the space station's environment and their potential impact on future lunar or Martian missions.

Research on extremophiles—organisms thriving in harsh environments—also benefits terrestrial sectors such as medicine and agriculture.

The data collected by Williams and Wilmore are crucial for understanding microbial survival in outer space and how these organisms might interact with other planetary environments, offering insights valuable for both space travel and earthly industries.