Update: NASA cuts live broadcast of today's astronaut spacewalk

NASA spacewalk on Dec 21 2022
(Image credit: NASA)

*Update: NASA has had to postpone today's planned spacewalk mission, which was due to air live all day.

NASA reports that "data on a fragment of Russian Fregat-SB upper-stage debris showed a close approach to the International Space Station". We don't know when the spacewalk will be, but managers at the agency are currently working out the next possible opportunity to perform the solar-installing mission. Read more below.

We've been a little obsessed with NASA operations this year, thanks mainly to the James Webb Space Telescope. It was officially launched last December and the images started rolling in by July – scenes so beautiful they bring scientists to tears.

Today we're in for another out-of-this-world treat. NASA is broadcasting live coverage of its spacewalk, and we'll be able to watch the whole thing, as two astronauts install the fourth solar array on the International Space Station. 

You can watch the live coverage on NASA's YouTube channel, and we've also dropped the video link. below. It will begin at 6.30 EST (11.30 GMT), but the two astronauts Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio will switch on their spacesuit battery packs from 7.45 AM EST (12.45 UTC), and then the whole spacewalk is expected to last around seven hours!

How to watch the live US Spacewalk

The space agency will also provide live coverage of the spacewalk on NASA Television, the app, and the agency’s website.

To help you distinguish between the duo, Rubio will be wearing a suit with red stripes and Cassada will be wearing an unmarked suit. Both are part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-5 mission, and they've already conducted two spacewalks before.

According to Space.com today's spacewalk was pushed back two days because the agency wanted to use cameras on the end of its robotic, 57.7-foot-long (17.6 meters) Canadarm2 so that it might inspect a leaky Russian Soyuz capsule on the International Space Station while the astronauts are up there.

Canadarm2 and the 360 camera

(Image credit: ESA/NASA–Thomas Pesquet)

NASA adds: "Cassada and Rubio are in the midst of a science mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration missions, including NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon."

Since you're here, you might also like our guides to the best deep-space telescopes and the best camera for astrophotography.

Lauren Scott
Managing Editor

Lauren is the Managing Editor of Digital Camera World, having previously served as Editor of Digital Photographer magazine, a practical-focused publication that inspires hobbyists and seasoned pros alike to take truly phenomenal shots and get the best results from their kit. 


An experienced photography journalist who has been covering the industry for over eight years, she has also served as technique editor for both PhotoPlus: The Canon MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine and DCW's sister publication, Digital Camera Magazine


In addition to techniques and tutorials that enable you to achieve great results from your cameras, lenses, tripods and other photography equipment, Lauren can regularly be found interviewing some of the biggest names in the industry, sharing tips and guides on subjects like landscape and wildlife photography, and raising awareness for subjects such as mental health and women in photography.