NASA schedules six-hour spacewalk for International Space Station maintenance

NASA has scheduled a spacewalk for Tuesday, 1 September, during which astronauts Jessica Meir and Sophie Adenot will exit the International Space Station to perform essential maintenance. The excursion, designated as U.S. spacewalk 99, is expected to last approximately six and a half hours. Live coverage of the event will begin at 7:00 a.m. EDT, with the spacewalk itself commencing at approximately 8:30 a.m.

The primary objective of the mission is to replace a retroreflector on the forward port of the Harmony module. This device serves as a navigational aid, supporting spacecraft navigation during rendezvous and docking operations. Following the installation of the reflector, the crew will proceed with a series of technical tasks to ensure the continued functionality of the station.

Additional maintenance work includes installing jumper cables for the data-relay systems and preparing the radiator for the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer for future upkeep. The astronauts will also replace a high-definition camera located on the station’s truss. Adenot, an astronaut with the European Space Agency, will serve as spacewalk crew member 1 and will wear a suit marked with red stripes. Meir will serve as crew member 2 and will wear an unmarked suit.

For Jessica Meir, this mission represents her seventh spacewalk. The achievement moves her into third place all-time for total spacewalks among women at NASA, trailing only Peggy Whitson, who has completed 10, and Suni Williams, who has completed 9. For Sophie Adenot, the excursion marks her third spacewalk.

The event is a significant milestone in the history of the station, marking the 284th spacewalk supporting the assembly, maintenance, and upgrades of the International Space Station. NASA will stream the coverage through various digital platforms, allowing global audiences to follow the operations in real time.