Menon and Meir Complete ISS Power Upgrades During First of Three August Spacewalks
NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir successfully installed modification kits for the International Space Station's power grid during a six-hour external mission. The operation prepares the orbital laboratory for the arrival of final roll-out solar arrays later this year.
Key takeaways
- Astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir spent 6 hours and 27 minutes upgrading the ISS power grid on August 5, 2026.
- The mission installed mounting hardware for the final two IROSA solar arrays scheduled for delivery later this year.
- This was the first of three planned spacewalks for August, with upcoming tasks including antenna replacement and docking aid repairs.
Mission Overview
During the 281st spacewalk dedicated to International Space Station (ISS) maintenance, NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir completed a six-hour and 27-minute mission to upgrade the facility's power infrastructure. The excursion, which began at 8:33 a.m. EDT on August 5, 2026, and concluded at 3 p.m. EDT, marked the first spacewalk for Mr. Menon and the sixth for Ms. Meir. The duo exited the Quest airlock to perform structural enhancements on the station's exterior.
Expanding Electrical Capacity
The primary objective involved mounting hardware on the 3B power channel, situated on the Starboard 6 truss segment. According to a statement from NASA, these structural modifications are necessary for the future deployment of International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSA). Once installed, these arrays will bolster the laboratory's power supply, ensuring the functionality of onboard systems and facilitating the eventual safe deorbit of the station.
During the operation, Mr. Menon utilized an articulating portable foot restraint to secure a stable working position on the truss. The team routed cabling designed to transfer electricity from the pending solar arrays into the 3B channel before securing the struts with multi-layer insulation. This mission follows the successful deployment of six prior IROSA assemblies since 2021, with two units remaining for delivery later this year.
Upcoming Expedition 75 Operations
This mission represents the start of a busy month for the Expedition 75 crew, with two additional spacewalks scheduled. On August 13, astronauts will replace a Space-to-Ground antenna, which serves as a vital high-speed data link between the Houston Mission Control Center and the orbital complex. A final August 25 excursion will focus on connecting data relay systems and power cables, alongside the replacement of a navigational docking aid located on the Harmony module.
Key Facts
- The spacewalk lasted exactly 6 hours and 27 minutes.
- Anil Menon became the latest Indian-origin astronaut to conduct an orbital EVA.
- The mission targeted the 3B power channel on the Starboard 6 truss segment.
- Six of eight planned IROSA assemblies have been deployed since 2021.
- Upcoming maintenance on August 13 will focus on high-speed communication hardware.
Source: The Hindu — Sci-Tech
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