Floating in Space: Spacewalk Shenanigans with Suni Williams

Let’s face it: if you’re thinking about taking a stroll, you usually envision pavement, perhaps a friendly dog or two, and definitely a cup of coffee waiting for you at the end.

But NASA astronaut Suni Williams tossed that notion out the window—not that there are windows in space, mind you. Instead, she strapped on her spacesuit and leapt into the great, weightless abyss for what we call “a spacewalk,” which, let’s be honest, sounds more like a quirky reality show than an actual mission.

Imagine this: there’s Suni, floating outside the International Space Station (ISS), trying to replace a rate gyro assembly. Now, if you’re anything like me, your first thought would probably be, “What on Earth is a rate gyro assembly?” Well, in simple terms, it’s part of the fancy tech that keeps the ISS from spinning out of control like a toddler on a sugar rush. If there’s one thing you don’t want, it’s your home in orbit doing a twirl like it’s auditioning for “Dancing with the Stars.”

During Suni’s space adventure, it’s safe to assume there weren’t any signs telling her to “stay on the path,” because in space, the path is wherever the gravity is mysteriously absent! Picture her floating out there, twisting screws and tightening components, all while keeping her cool. Bet she didn’t even spill her Tang. This is where I’d definitely be at risk of dropping my tools into the void—cue the slow-motion “nooooo” as my wrench drifts away.

And let’s talk about the wardrobe. A bulky spacesuit that makes everyone look like a Michelin Man is hardly the ideal outfit for impressing the neighbors. I can only imagine how much Suni would have loved to wear something a little more… fashionable. How about a sleek space onesie? You know, something that says “I’m an astronaut” without the “I’m also a walking, floating marshmallow” vibe. Maybe NASA should hire a fashion consultant next time.

Suni’s not just floating around swapping gadgets; she’s also conducting research, doing calculations, and trying not to drift too far from the station. As she worked, I like to imagine her humming some upbeat tune while engaging in a game of “don’t touch the outer space” while simultaneously managing to keep an eye on tiny flying debris that could rival a sci-fi movie’s worst nightmares. All the while, I’d be in a full-on panic, praying to all the survival gods that I don’t become a statistic about what happens when you drop a wrench in space.

In the end, Suni Williams isn’t just floating out there for fun (though I bet it’s a blast)—she’s doing critical work to keep the ISS operational. And while she’s replacing gyro assemblies, the rest of us are just trying to remember where we left our keys. So, here’s to Suni and all the majestic spacewalkers out there—may your tools be secure, your orientation perfect, and may the rest of us never take our snug, gravity-infused lives for granted. Now, if only someone would send me a slice of space pizza while we’re at it!

Image via NASA https://ift.tt/7QMVbqd