NASA to Cover Three US Spacewalks, Host Preview News Conference

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir works inside the International Space Station’s Quest airlock in March, her reflection visible in a spacesuit helmet visor as she installs leg and arm components and swaps parts between suits. Credit: NASA/Jack Hathaway Editor’s note: This media advisory was updated July 27, 2026 to reflect an updated start time for the spacewalk on Thursday, Aug. 6.

NASA will provide coverage as astronauts venture outside the International Space Station during three spacewalks in August to continue upgrading solar arrays, replace a communications antenna, and connect power and data cables in support of space station operations. m. EDT, Thursday, July 30, from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

NASA will stream these events through a variety of platforms. gov . Media joining by phone should request dial-in details by the same deadline.

To ask a question, media must dial in no later than 15 minutes before the start of the news conference. Thursday, Aug. 6 NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Anil Menon will exit the Quest airlock to install hardware that will modify the station’s 3B power channel and prepare it for the future installation of an International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA).

The solar array, scheduled for delivery later this year, will be the seventh IROSA and will provide additional power to support critical station operations, including its safe and controlled deorbit. S. m.

m. and last about six and a half hours. This spacewalk will be the sixth for Meir and the first for Menon.

Meir will serve as spacewalk crew member 1 and will wear a suit with red stripes. Menon will serve as crew member 2 and will wear an unmarked suit. Thursday, Aug.

S. spacewalk 97, two astronauts will replace a Space-to-Ground antenna on the orbital complex. The antenna is a critical communication system NASA uses to transmit data and high‑speed communication between the Mission Control Center in Houston and the space station.

Tuesday, Aug. S. spacewalk 98 crew members will connect power channel cables and data relay systems as part of ongoing maintenance, including preparations for the space station’s future deorbit.

The astronauts also will replace a navigational aid used for spacecraft docking on the Harmony module’s forward port. S. spacewalks 97 and 98, including timing, assigned crew members, and coverage information, closer to each operation.

The spacewalks will be the 281st, 282nd, and 283rd conducted in support of space station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades. gov Share Details Last Updated Jul 27, 2026 Editor Jennifer M.