Purdue astronaut’s expected record-tying spacewalk delayed

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — NASA astronaut and Purdue alumnus Drew Feustel’s expected record-tying spacewalk that was scheduled for Sunday (Sept. 30) has been called off due to the delay of equipment delivery on the cargo craft. 

The spacewalk was to be the 10th of Feustel’s career, tying him with former astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria for most spacewalks by an American astronaut. The purpose of the spacewalk was to make upgrades to the International Space Station’s power system. A Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle cargo craft was to deliver the equipment.

Feustel has spent a total of 220 days in space, including 91 days on this, his third mission. He is scheduled to return to Earth in October. 

Writer: Kayla Zacharias, 765-494-9318, kzachar@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: A prior Purdue release anticipating Feustel’s record-tying spacewalk has been removed.