Roughly 44 minutes into EVA 23, astronaut Luca Parmitano reported water inside his helmet on the back of his head. The EVA ground team and Luca were unable to identify the water’s source. As Luca continued to work, the amount of water in the helmet increased and eventually migrated from the back of his head onto his face. EVA 23 was terminated early and the crew safely ingressed the airlock.
Close calls like this are a gift. We must use them wisely. Each close call is an opportunity to examine our work with fresh eyes and a renewed sense of urgency. They urge us to think outside the box. They tell us that the obvious answer may not always be correct. They force us to stay hungry and shake off the complacency that comes from past successes.