Spacewalk to commence over New Zealand

When astronaut Nicole Stott steps out on her first spacewalk at around 9:50 a.m today, accompanied by John "Danny" Olivas, she will be over familiar territory.

The spacewalk is due to commence just as the Space Station with Shuttle Discovery attached will be flying to the North of New Zealand, which Nicole visited in April last year.

During the spacewalk the complex  will pass over New Zealand another four times.  As all of these passes take place in bright daylight, it is unlikely that it will be visible to New Zealand observers.