NASA astronauts finish ISS power upgrade spacewalk

NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Anil Menon concluded a successful spacewalk on Friday, August 7, 2026, completing critical upgrades to the International Space Station's power system. The excursion, which began on Thursday, August 6, lasted six hours and 27 minutes and focused on preparing the station for the installation of a new solar array.

The astronauts exited the Quest airlock to install mounting hardware on the station's 3B power channel, located on the Starboard 6 truss segment. This work creates the structural foundation for the future addition of an International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA). NASA stated the upgrade will provide additional power for the orbiting laboratory, supporting its critical systems and the planned, safe deorbit of the station at the end of its service life.

For Anil Menon, the mission marked his first career spacewalk. A physician and former SpaceX flight surgeon who joined NASA's astronaut corps in 2021, Menon conducted the work while positioned on an articulating portable foot restraint for stability. Veteran astronaut Jessica Meir, the commander of Expedition 75, completed her sixth spacewalk. During the operation, Meir was...