Nasa cancelling all-female spacewalk is a step backward and frankly we're all angry

27 March 2019 - 14:32 By Odwa Mjo
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Astronaut Anne McClain is one of two women who were meant to participate in the first all-female spacewalk.
Astronaut Anne McClain is one of two women who were meant to participate in the first all-female spacewalk.
Image: Twitter/@NASAedu

There has been widespread outrage and a public outcry after Nasa's first all-female spacewalk was cancelled due to the lack of spacesuits in women's sizes on the mission. 

Earlier this month, Nasa (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) announced that astronauts Anne McClain and Christina Koch would conduct the first all-female spacewalk on March 29. 

Nasa has since cancelled the spacewalk on the grounds that only one medium-size torso (the space shirt) will be ready by Friday, March 29. 

After conducting her first spacewalk of the mission on March 22 alongside Nick Hague, McClain found that a medium-size torso fits her best.

Since there will only be one medium-size torso available for Friday's spacewalk, Christina Koch will participate in the mission's second spacewalk alongside Hague.

Nasa's announcement gained traction on Twitter as many shared their disappointment.

Many said Nasa should have been able to accommodate the size preferences of the female astronauts. 


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