- The Expedition 75 crew aboard the ISS continued preparations Thursday for a spacewalk scheduled for August 18, while also conducting experiments involving virtual reality and artificial intelligence.
- NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency are scheduled to venture outside the station next Tuesday to replace a failed high-speed space-to-ground antenna.
- The spacewalk is expected to last about six-and-a-half hours, beginning after switching spacesuits to battery power at 8.35 am EDT (6.05 pm IST).
- The astronauts will exit through the Quest airlock and travel to the Z1 truss segment above the Unity module, where the antenna is installed. They will first remove the existing antenna and place it on an external stowage platform, then retrieve a spare antenna and install it on the Z1 truss.
- NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and station commander Jessica Meir will support the spacewalk from inside the station, helping with spacesuit donning/doffing and operating the Canadarm2 robotic arm.
- During the spacewalk, Menon will be positioned on the robotic arm’s latching end effector, while Adenot will remain tethered to the station’s truss and assist with the antenna replacement.
- On Thursday, the crew conducted spacesuit checks, reviewed specialized tools, and held discussions with mission controllers and robotics specialists to review safety procedures and Canadarm2 manoeuvres ahead of the spacewalk.
- The crew also conducted emergency response training on Wednesday, reviewed roles for pressure, chemical, or fire leaks, and tested virtual reality and AI tools for future missions.
The Expedition 75 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is gearing up for a crucial spacewalk on August 18 to replace a malfunctioning high-speed space-to-ground antenna.1
NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Sophie Adenot will lead the operation, which is expected to last approximately six-and-a-half hours.23410
The astronauts will begin their spacewalk at 8:35 am EDT, exiting through the Quest airlock to reach the Z1 truss segment above the Unity module, where the antenna is located.567
"They will first remove the existing antenna and place it on an external stowage platform," a NASA spokesperson stated.
Following this, they will retrieve a spare antenna and install it on the Z1 truss, securing the old equipment in the process.
Inside the station, fellow astronauts Jack Hathaway and Jessica Meir will provide support, assisting with spacesuit operations and controlling the Canadarm2 robotic arm.89
"Menon will be positioned on the robotic arm’s latching end effector during part of the operation," while Adenot will remain tethered to the truss to assist with the replacement.
In preparation, the crew has conducted various checks, including testing Menon’s spacesuit functionality and reviewing specialized tools for electrical and data connections.
Additionally, the crew has engaged in emergency response training, reviewing protocols for potential pressure or chemical leaks.14151617
Flight engineers Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina have also been testing virtual reality tools aimed at enhancing crew efficiency for future missions, with Dubrov conducting automated Earth photography sessions.
This multifaceted approach underscores the ISS crew's commitment to safety and innovation in space exploration.
“The spacewalk, expected to last about six-and-a-half hours, will begin at 8:35 am EDT (6:05 pm IST) after switching spacesuits to battery power. Menon will be positioned on the robotic arm's latching end effector, while Adenot remains tethered to the truss to assist with the antenna replacement.”
The Indian Express
