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Astronomy & Space vocabulary · Astronauts & Human Spaceflight

Spacewalk

Meaning in astronomy & space, with examples

/ˈspeɪswɔːk/nounCore term

In astronomy & space, spacewalk means: A period when an astronaut leaves the spacecraft and works outside in space, wearing a spacesuit. The technical name is extravehicular activity (EVA).

In Turkish: uzay yürüyüşü

How it is used

Astronauts go on, conduct or perform a spacewalk, usually to repair or install equipment. Mission updates give its length, for example 'a six-and-a-half-hour spacewalk'. Agencies use 'EVA' in technical communication.

Example sentences

  1. Alexei Leonov made the first spacewalk in 1965.

  2. Two astronauts will go on a spacewalk tomorrow to replace a failed battery.

Common collocations

  • go on a spacewalk
  • conduct a spacewalk
  • first spacewalk
  • spacewalk preparations
  • spacesuitA sealed, pressurised suit that protects an astronaut from vacuum, extreme temperatures and radiation and supplies oxygen to breathe.
  • astronautA person who is trained to travel and work in space on board a spacecraft or a space station.
  • space stationA large spacecraft that stays in orbit for years, where crews live and work for long periods and carry out experiments in microgravity.
  • life supportThe systems in a spacecraft or spacesuit that keep people alive by supplying oxygen, removing carbon dioxide and controlling temperature, pressure and water.

More terms: Astronauts & Human Spaceflight

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