NASA Schedules Three Critical August Spacewalks to Boost ISS Power Comms and Future Ops

NASA has outlined a three‑mission series of U.S. extravehicular activities slated for August, aimed at modernising the International Space Station’s power grid, upgrading its communications gear, and readying the orbiting laboratory for its eventual deorbit.

These operations represent the latest phase of the station’s long‑term upkeep, ensuring that the ISS remains functional while preparations for its final retirement progress.

The spacewalks are set for 6 August, 13 August and 25 August, marking the 281st, 282nd and 283rd EVA dedicated to the station’s assembly and maintenance.

NASA Unveils August EVA Schedule and Objectives

First EVA Focuses on Power‑Channel Enhancements

On Thursday, 6 August, astronauts Jessica Meir and Anil Menon will exit the Quest airlock to rewire the station’s 3B power channel, setting the stage for the next International Space Station Roll‑Out Solar Array (IROSA). This seventh IROSA will boost electrical capacity for essential station functions.

The operation is expected to last roughly six and a half hours, with live video beginning at 7 a.m. EDT and the EVA commencing at 8:35 a.m. EDT. Meir will log her sixth spacewalk, while Menon makes his debut; Meir’s suit will feature red striping, whereas Menon’s will be unmarked.

This August, our astronauts will be stepping outside the @Space_Station three times! NASA experts will discuss our upcoming spacewalks at 2pm ET (1800 UTC) on July 30. Learn how to tune in: https://t.co/7CyQqEN9bFpic.twitter.com/Dxa5zMAxzh

— NASA (@NASA) July 27, 2026

Second EVA Will Replace a Key Antenna

The U.S. spacewalk 97 planned for Thursday, 13 August will see crew members swap out a vital Space‑to‑Ground antenna, the conduit for high‑speed data exchange between the ISS and the Mission Control Center in Houston. The upgrade is part of a broader effort to sustain the station’s external hardware after more than twenty years of continuous service.

NASA has not yet disclosed the specific crew or detailed timeline for this EVA, promising further details as the date approaches.

Third EVA Addresses Power Cables and Navigation Aid

The final outing, designated U.S. spacewalk 98, is scheduled for Tuesday, 25 August. During this mission, astronauts will link additional power‑channel cables and data‑relay modules, and they will also replace a navigation beacon located on the forward port of the Harmony module. This beacon supports docking procedures for visiting spacecraft.

These tasks tie into the broader plan for a controlled deorbit of the ISS, a scenario that NASA and its international partners are currently developing as the station nears the end of its operational lifespan.

NASA to Host Preview Briefing in Houston

A preview press conference will be held at 2 p.m. EDT on Thursday, 30 July from the Johnson Space Center. Speakers include Bill Spetch, deputy manager of the Commercial, Low‑Earth‑Orbit Program, along with spacewalk flight directors Chris Dobbins and Chloe Mehring.

The briefing, as well as live streams of the EVAs, will be available through NASA’s official online channels, allowing the public to follow the astronauts’ work beyond the station’s walls.

Each EVA demands extensive preparation—astronaut training, equipment verification, mission simulations, and close coordination between the crew in orbit and ground specialists. The August series underscores the ongoing complexity of operating a research outpost that has been continuously inhabited since 2000.