NASA Astronauts Complete 6.5-Hour Spacewalk for ISS Upgrade
WHO:
The Times of India - Anil Menon is making his maiden spacewalk, marking a career-defining milestone.
Space.com - NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Anil Menon participated in the spacewalk.
The Times of India - Anil Menon is an Indian-origin NASA astronaut.
WHAT:
The Times of India - The spacewalk is designated as US Spacewalk 96 and is the 281st spacewalk conducted in support of the ISS.
Space.com - Meir and Menon completed a 6.5-hour spacewalk to install solar array mounting hardware.
The Times of India - The spacewalk lasted six-and-a-half hours and was designated as US Spacewalk 96.
The Times of India - The astronauts' primary objective was to install hardware on the ISS's 3B power channel for a future International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA).
The Times of India - The new solar panel will be the seventh IROSA attached to the ISS.
WHERE:
Space.com - The spacewalk took place outside of the International Space Station (ISS).
WHEN:
The Times of India - A second spacewalk is scheduled for August 13, 2026, and another on August 25, 2026, focusing on different upgrades.
Space.com - The spacewalk occurred on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026.
The Times of India - A second spacewalk is scheduled for August 13, 2026, and another on August 25, 2026.
WHY:
The Times of India - The upgrades are part of NASA's long-term strategy to maximize the ISS's operational life and prepare for its eventual controlled de-orbit later in the next decade.
The Times of India - The mission is part of NASA's long-term strategy to maximize the ISS's operational life and prepare for its eventual controlled de-orbit later in the next decade.
The Times of India - The upgrades are necessary to ensure a stable power supply for scientific experiments, life-support systems, and future missions aboard the ISS.
HOW:
The Times of India - The astronauts will wear NASA's Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuits, which provide oxygen, temperature regulation, communication, and protection against radiation and micrometeoroids.
The Times of India - The astronauts wore NASA's Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuits during the spacewalk.
The Times of India - The astronauts were securely attached to the ISS using multiple safety tethers while navigating the station's exterior.
(UPDATED August 7, 2026 08:54 UTC)
Anil Menon is making his maiden spacewalk, a significant milestone in his career, as part of US Spacewalk 96, which is the 281st spacewalk conducted in support of the International Space Station. Looking ahead, a second spacewalk is scheduled for August 13, 2026, followed by another on August 25, 2026, both aimed at various upgrades to the ISS. These upgrades are part of NASA's long-term strategy to enhance the station's operational life and prepare for its eventual controlled de-orbit later in the next decade.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 00:58 UTC)
NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Anil Menon completed a six-and-a-half-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station, where they installed solar array mounting hardware as part of US Spacewalk 96. This mission is crucial for the future of the ISS, as it prepares for the addition of a seventh International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array, ensuring a stable power supply for ongoing scientific experiments and life-support systems. A second spacewalk is scheduled for August 13, 2026, followed by another on August 25, 2026, as part of NASA's long-term strategy to maximize the ISS's operational life.