2 astronauts perform spacewalk to replace ISS antenna

NASA astronaut Anil Menon and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sophie Adenot are scheduled to perform a 6.5-hour spacewalk on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, to replace a critical communications antenna on the International Space Station (ISS). The extravehicular activity (EVA) is set to begin at 8:35 a.m. EDT, or 6:05 p.m. IST, and will mark Adenot's first spacewalk and Menon's second in ten days.

The primary objective of the mission is to remove an old high-speed data and communications antenna, known as the Space-to-Ground Antenna (SGANT), from the station's Z1 truss segment and install a spare unit. This antenna is vital for maintaining communication and data transfer between the orbiting laboratory and mission control in Houston. During the operation, Menon and Adenot will disconnect the existing antenna and replace it with a spare stored on an external platform, followed by making precise electrical and data connections to activate the new hardware.

Menon will ride the Canadarm2 robotic arm, which will be operated from inside the station, to reach the worksite. Adenot will remain tethered to the station as she works. Inside the ISS, station commander Jessica Meir and flight...