Why Do Astronauts Go on Spacewalks?

Why Do Astronauts Go on Spacewalks? Any time an astronaut gets out of a vehicle while in space, it is called a spacewalk. A spacewalk is also called an EVA. EVA stands for extravehicular activity. When astronauts go on extravehicular activity, they wear spacesuits to keep themselves safe.

Inside spacesuits, astronauts have the oxygen they need to breathe. They have the water they need to drink. Astronauts go on spacewalks for many reasons. Spacewalks let astronauts work outside their spacecraft while still in space. Astronauts can do science experiments on a spacewalk.

Experiments can be placed on the outside of a spacecraft. This lets scientists learn how being in space affects different things. Extravehicular activity also let astronauts test new equipment. They can repair satellites or spacecraft that are in space.

By going on spacewalks, astronauts can fix things instead of bringing them back to Earth to fix. Spacewalks usually last between five and eight hours, depending on the job.

Why are extravehicular activity dangerous? In space, however, there’s a complete lack of molecules, which means there’s also a complete lack of pressure. This is one of the major reasons it’s dangerous for astronauts to go into space without a proper space suit.

Why astronauts can’t walk after landing? Sensors inside our ears, which are part of the vestibular system that controls balance, are thrown off — often causing astronauts to feel dizzy or queasy the first few days in space. Once they get back to Earth, it takes a while for their bodies to readjust. Hence, the walking problems.

Content for this question contributed by Danny Korol, resident of Southwick, Hampden County, Massachusetts, USA