Science TechnologyFriday, 7 August 2026·The Hindu - Science
NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir complete ISS spacewalk for solar-array upgrade
NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir completed a six-hour, 27-minute spacewalk on August 6, 2026, to prepare the ISS for future solar arrays.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On August 6, 2026, NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir completed a six-hour, 27-minute spacewalk outside the International Space Station to install hardware on the station’s 3B power channel for future solar-array upgrades.
Key specifics
- The spacewalk was the 281st in support of the International Space Station.
- It was the sixth spacewalk for Jessica Meir and the first for Anil Menon.
- The work began at 8.33 a.m. EDT on August 5, 2026, and ended at 3 p.m. EDT on August 6, 2026.
- The astronauts worked on the Starboard 6 truss segment and the Quest airlock.
- NASA said the task supports future IROSA deployment and the station’s safe controlled deorbit.
Exam lens
Space science and international missions, ISS, IROSA, 281st spacewalk, Anil Menon, Jessica Meir, Starboard 6 truss. TNPSC may ask: which Indian-origin astronaut took part in the August 2026 ISS spacewalk?