World

NASA astronauts complete six hour spacewalk outside space station

Astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir spent six and a half hours working outside the International Space Station to install mounting hardware.

By The Victoria Brief News Desk

Published 1 min read
NASA astronauts complete six hour spacewalk outside space station
NASA Johnson Space Center via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Two NASA astronauts have successfully completed a six and a half hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station to prepare the orbital laboratory for future power upgrades.

According to wire reports, astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir ventured outside the station to install critical mounting hardware. This hardware is required for the future addition of new solar arrays, which will boost the power generation capabilities of the station.

The excursion, which lasted approximately 6.5 hours, required precise coordination between the crew members and mission control teams on Earth. Working in the vacuum of space, Menon and Meir carried out the task of securing the mounting brackets to the station's exterior structure.

Space agencies rely on these maintenance operations to ensure the longevity of the International Space Station. The installation of new solar arrays is part of an ongoing effort to modernise the station's power systems, ensuring it remains fully operational for scientific research.

Specific details regarding the exact technical challenges encountered during the spacewalk remain limited, and NASA has not yet confirmed the precise timeline for when the actual solar arrays will be delivered to the station. It is also not yet clear when the next spacewalk to complete the physical installation of the arrays will take place.

Officials have confirmed that both astronauts returned safely to the station's airlock upon the completion of their tasks, with their spacesuits and equipment functioning as expected throughout the operation.

Observers will now watch for confirmation from NASA on the scheduling of the next resupply mission carrying the solar arrays to the station.

This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.

Dedicated to a Stronger Victoria.

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