WASHINGTON, Jul 27: Indian origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon is preparing for a major milestone in his space career as he gets ready to perform his first ever spacewalk next month. The extravehicular activities (EVAs) will see Menon working outside the International Space Station (ISS) to carry out a series of critical maintenance and upgrade tasks that will strengthen the orbital laboratory’s operational capabilities for years to come.
NASA announced that Menon will participate in three planned spacewalks alongside veteran astronaut Jessica Meir, with the first scheduled for August 6, followed by additional missions on August 13 and August 25. These operations are part of a broader effort to modernize the ISS by installing new infrastructure that will improve its power generation, communications network and future mission readiness.
The upcoming spacewalks represent an important achievement for Menon, who joined the ISS crew after arriving aboard the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft on July 14. During his approximately eight-month mission, he is expected to contribute to scientific research, technology demonstrations and routine station maintenance.
Preparing the Space Station for the Future
According to NASA, the primary objective of the spacewalk campaign is to prepare the station for the installation of the International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) later this year.
The new generation of roll-out solar arrays will significantly boost the station’s power generation capacity, ensuring sufficient electricity for scientific experiments, onboard systems and long-term station operations. They will also play a key role in supporting the ISS throughout its remaining years in orbit and during its eventual safe and controlled deorbit process.
Astronauts will install new mounting hardware, upgrade electrical connections and prepare structural components needed before the advanced solar arrays can be attached to the station.
Critical Tasks During the First Spacewalk
During the first EVA on August 6, Menon and Meir will focus on installing equipment necessary for the upcoming solar array expansion.
The astronauts will replace outdated hardware, configure new power interfaces and route electrical cables that will support the future deployment of the IROSA system.
Working outside the ISS demands meticulous planning and precision, as astronauts operate in the harsh environment of space while relying on their spacesuits for life support and protection.
NASA’s mission planners have spent months preparing the crew for the complex sequence of activities, ensuring every task is completed safely and efficiently.
Communications Upgrade Scheduled for August 13
The second planned spacewalk on August 13 will concentrate on improving the station’s communications infrastructure.
Menon and Meir will replace a Space to Ground communications antenna, one of the most critical components linking the International Space Station with NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston.
The upgraded antenna will continue to provide reliable transmission of operational data, telemetry, voice communications and high-speed information required for mission management and scientific research.
Maintaining uninterrupted communication between Earth and the orbiting laboratory remains essential for astronaut safety and the successful execution of daily operations.
Maintenance and Docking Improvements
The third EVA, scheduled for August 25, will involve connecting additional power channel cables and upgrading data relay systems across the station.
Astronauts will also replace a navigational aid installed on the forward port of the Harmony module, which assists visiting spacecraft during docking procedures.
The new equipment will improve docking accuracy for future cargo spacecraft and crew missions while supporting the station’s long-term operational reliability.
These maintenance activities form part of NASA’s continuous efforts to keep the ISS functioning efficiently as international partners continue utilizing the orbital laboratory for scientific research.
A View of Earth Few Ever Witness
Ahead of his first spacewalk, Menon recently shared remarkable photographs captured from orbit showing Starbase, SpaceX’s launch facility in South Texas.
Posting the images from aboard the ISS, he offered followers a rare perspective of the launch complex as viewed from hundreds of kilometers above Earth.
Alongside the photographs, Menon wrote:
“Our view of Starbase from space! Here’s to a successful launch. Send it.”
The images attracted widespread attention among space enthusiasts and highlighted the unique vantage point astronauts experience while living aboard the orbiting laboratory.
A Journey Rooted in Science and Service
Born in Minneapolis, Menon comes from a multicultural family with an Indian father whose ancestral roots trace back to Palakkad, Kerala, and a Ukrainian mother.
Before becoming a NASA astronaut, Menon built an impressive career as a physician, engineer and flight surgeon, contributing to both aerospace medicine and human spaceflight programs.
His selection as an astronaut reflected years of expertise in medicine, engineering and operational support for crewed missions.
Since arriving aboard the ISS, Menon has joined fellow astronauts in conducting scientific investigations designed to improve understanding of human health, biology, materials science and advanced technologies in the microgravity environment.
Supporting the Next Phase of the ISS
The International Space Station continues to serve as humanity’s largest permanently inhabited laboratory in space, hosting astronauts from multiple countries who collaborate on hundreds of scientific experiments each year.
As the station approaches the later stages of its operational life, NASA and its international partners are investing in upgrades that will maximize scientific output while ensuring the platform remains safe and reliable.
The installation of new roll out solar arrays and modernization of communications and electrical infrastructure are among the most significant improvement projects currently underway.
Menon’s participation in these demanding spacewalks underscores his growing role within NASA’s astronaut corps and marks an important milestone in his spaceflight career.
With three carefully planned EVAs ahead, the Indian origin astronaut is set to contribute directly to enhancing one of humanity’s most important scientific outposts in space, ensuring the International Space Station remains capable of supporting groundbreaking research and future exploration missions well into the coming years.