Astronauts will perform zero-gravity spacewalk on Sunday – here’s where to watch

It may not be everyone's idea of a relaxing Sunday, but this weekend, two astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will be embarking on a dangerous spacewalk – and NASA will be live-streaming the entire event.

French astronaut Thomas Pesquet and Japan's Akihiko Hoshide will be venturing out into deep space just days after Russian astronauts triggered a smoke alarm onboard.

Both are experienced astronauts. This will be Pesquet's sixth spacewalk and Hoshide's fourth, with their objective being to install a new piece of equipment on the space station's power supply.

A spacewalk refers to any time an astronaut exits a vehicle while in space. Typically, they last between five and eight hours and capture incredible footage of astronauts performing experiments, research, and essential repairs to the Space Station.

A spacewalk is no walk in the park, though. The ISS travels at around 15,500 miles per hour in the Earth's orbit, meaning astronauts must wear expensive protective equipment and breathe pure oxygen.

Just like divers, they're at risk of getting 'the bends', as nitrogen gas bubbles can build up in their bloodstreams and cause muscle cramps.

Once the astronauts have left the airlock, they use safety ropes to tether them to the Space Station as it hurtles around the Earth at breakneck speeds.

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They're equipped with a small pack that uses jet thrusters to let an astronaut move around safely in the vacuum of space.

If they are cut loose from the spacecraft, the thrusters enable them to return to safety – although there can be a bit of catching up to do.

The event will be live-streamed from 12:00 noon on Sunday, but the walk itself won't begin for another 90 minutes – at around 1:30PM.

You don't need to worry about being late, as it it likely to go on for about six and a half hours.

Viewers can expect some incredible helmet cam footage of the Earth from space, as well as some exciting zero-gravity action.

Watch the livestream on YouTube or via NASA's website

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