Washington (Rajeev Sharma): NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir have successfully completed a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS), undertaking structural work that will pave the way for the installation of additional solar arrays.
The operation was focused on upgrading a power channel on the orbital laboratory and represents part of NASA’s continuing efforts to strengthen the station’s electricity-generating capabilities.
Work carried out outside space station
Menon and Meir left the ISS through the Quest airlock and spent several hours working on the station’s exterior. Their primary task involved assembling a modification kit associated with the station’s power channel.
The newly installed hardware is designed to support the future addition of solar arrays, which will provide the ISS with increased power-generation capacity.
The spacewalk began at 8:33 am EDT on Thursday, equivalent to 6:03 pm IST, and ended at 3:00 pm EDT, or 12:30 am IST on Friday. The astronauts spent a total of six hours and 27 minutes outside the station.
First spacewalk for Anil Menon
The mission was particularly significant for Anil Menon, who undertook his first-ever spacewalk.
For Jessica Meir, the latest outing marked her sixth spacewalk.
The operation was the 281st spacewalk performed in support of the International Space Station, reflecting the extensive maintenance and upgrade work required to keep the orbital facility operational.
Solar upgrade to strengthen ISS
The modifications completed by the astronauts form part of a broader programme to modernise the ISS power system.
Additional solar arrays will help expand the station’s electricity supply, supporting its research activities, life-support systems and other equipment. The upgrades are also intended to ensure that the ageing orbital laboratory can continue accommodating scientific and technological missions.
The latest spacewalk therefore represents not just routine maintenance, but another step in the long-term effort to enhance the International Space Station’s infrastructure and operational capacity.
