Anil Menon Completes Maiden ISS Spacewalk

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon completed his first extravehicular activity on 6 August 2026 during a spacewalk outside the International Space Station. The operation, designated US Spacewalk 96, lasted 6 hours and 27 minutes and ended at 3:00 p.m. EDT, which was 12:30 a.m. IST on 7 August 2026.

Extravehicular Activity

Extravehicular activity, or EVA, is the term used for work carried out by astronauts outside a spacecraft. Spacewalks are used for assembly, maintenance, repairs, and installation of equipment on orbital platforms such as the International Space Station.

International Space Station Power Systems

During the spacewalk, Anil Menon and Jessica Meir worked on the Starboard 6 truss segment of the ISS. They installed mounting hardware on the 3B power channel, routed electrical cabling for a future Roll-Out Solar Array, and wrapped the struts with multi-layer insulation.

Important Facts for Exams

• The International Space Station is a modular orbital laboratory used for scientific research and station maintenance.
• Roll-Out Solar Arrays, or iROSAs, are deployable solar power systems used to increase electrical generation on the ISS.
• Jessica Meir performed her sixth spacewalk during this EVA, while Anil Menon completed his maiden spacewalk.
• The EVA was the 281st spacewalk dedicated to ISS assembly and maintenance.

Expedition 75 and Anil Menon

This spacewalk was the first of three EVA operations planned for the Expedition 75 crew in August 2026. Anil Menon was selected for NASA’s 2021 astronaut class and has worked as a physician and former SpaceX medical director.