NASA Gears Up for Six‑Hour Spacewalk to Replace Canadarm2 Wrist Joint 250 Miles Above Earth

A planned extravehicular activity on June 30, 2026 will see NASA astronauts step outside the International Space Station to swap a defective wrist joint on the Canadarm2 robot. The repair follows an anomaly first spotted on May 27, when the arm showed abnormal motor currents and stalled during a routine maneuver. This EVA will test both the crew’s technical skill and the longevity of the station’s aging infrastructure.

Why the Canadarm2 Wrist Joint Needs Attention

Canadarm2 has been essential to ISS operations for more than a quarter‑century, handling payloads, aiding spacecraft dockings, and supporting intricate experiments. On May 27, ground controllers recorded a surge in power draw from one of the arm’s wrist joints, indicating a mechanical failure that prevented normal movement. After a detailed assessment, NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) agreed that replacing the joint in orbit was the most reliable remedy, underscoring the necessity of regular upkeep even for the most rugged space hardware.

Swapping a joint in a weightless environment demands meticulous choreography. Astronauts must synchronize their actions with the arm’s mechanics while confined to their EVA suits, which limit dexterity. The task goes beyond a simple part exchange; it requires careful handling, on‑the‑spot problem solving, and strict adherence to safety protocols, all monitored in real time by engineers on the ground to protect both the robot and the station.

Crew Line‑up and EVA Schedule

NASA has announced that astronauts Chris Williams and Jessica Meir will conduct the spacewalk via the Quest airlock. This will be Williams’s second EVA and Meir’s fifth. Williams’s suit will feature distinctive red stripes, while Meir’s will be unmarked, allowing mission control to differentiate the two operators. The operation is slated to last about six and a half hours, during which the pair will methodically detach the faulty joint and install a spare that is already aboard the station.

The success of the repair hinges on close coordination between NASA and the CSA, ensuring that every tool, procedure, and contingency plan is ready. Such international collaboration blends years of engineering expertise with the hands‑on experience of the crew, highlighting the demanding nature of spacewalks where a single slip could jeopardize months of work.

Astronauts Chris Williams and Jessica Meir will conduct a spacewalk on June 30 for a robotics repair job. Managers will preview the spacewalk on June 25 on @NASA’s YouTube channel. More… https://t.co/8SfAqUPJiIpic.twitter.com/Aaee03DGYv

— International Space Station (@Space_Station) June 22, 2026

How to Watch the EVA and Upcoming Briefing

NASA will stream the EVA live at 7 a.m. EDT across NASA+, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and its YouTube channel. A pre‑flight press conference is set for June 25, featuring specialists such as Bill Spetch, Fiona Antkowiak, and Jason Dyer, who will discuss the mission’s planning, the technical hurdles of the joint swap, and the broader context of ISS maintenance.

Media representatives can join the briefing in person or via telephone, following NASA’s established participation guidelines. The session will provide an in‑depth look at how robotic systems like Canadarm2 are monitored, serviced, and occasionally repaired while orbiting Earth, a process vital to the station’s continued scientific output.