Incredible new GoPro footage has been released showing recent International Space Station (ISS) astronauts Terry Virts and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore conducting two spacewalks, with the Earth visible below them.
Spread over two extra vehicular activity (EVA) missions – EVA 30 and EVA 31 – Virts and Wilmore’s footage offers arguably one of the best visual experiences of what it would be like to join one of the band of humans that has ventured out of its spacecraft and into the murky depths of space.
In total, the two astronauts spent five hours and 38 minutes outside of the craft as part of Expedition 42, but Virts is now acting as commander with the recent arrival of Expedition 43, which includes both NASA’s Scott Kelly and Rososmos’ Mikhail Kornienko, who will be both spending a record year-long stint aboard the station.
For Virts and Wilmore, however, their work during the EVAs was considered a necessity, with the instalment of a new communications system designed to facilitate future vehicles visiting the US segment of the ISS.
The footage recorded by Virts has been placed online in its raw state and, regardless of its lack of editing, it is certainly a joy to behold for anyone interested in getting a glimpse into the life of an astronaut.
At the time of writing, the video appears to be loading rather slowly, so patience may be needed.