Nicole Mann plans to do some spacewalks while she’s living on the International Space Station (ISS). Any time an astronaut leaves the ISS during the mission, that’s called a spacewalk. It’s like taking a walk outside, except astronauts wear spacesuits, which provide the oxygen they need. Astronauts are attached to the space station, and instead of walking, they kind of float around. 

Astronauts go on spacewalks for many reasons. Sometimes they do science experiments. They want to find out how being in space affects different things. Astronauts might also test or repair equipment on a spacewalk. Sometimes the ISS itself needs a repair. In some ways, the ISS is like any other home, and all homes need repairs sometimes. But the ISS also has a lot more equipment that can break down.

Before they go to space, astronauts train to go on spacewalks. Can you guess the best way to prepare to be almost weightless? If you thought of a swimming pool, you’re right! NASA has a pool called the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. Astronauts practice moving around in it. But they don’t wear bathing suits. They wear spacesuits!