Watch: Indian-origin astronaut Anil Menon completes seven-hour-long spacewalk
The Nasa astronaut worked hundreds of kilometres above Earth on hardware that will help expand the International Space Station's solar power capacity.
Nasa astronaut Anil Menon stepped outside the International Space Station (ISS) for the first time on Thursday, August 6, joining fellow astronaut Jessica Meir for a spacewalk focused on upgrading the station's power system.
WATCH US SPACEWALK 96 LIVE HERE
WHAT IS US SPACEWALK 96?
Meir and Menon left the ISS through the Quest airlock, the station's dedicated gateway for spacewalks.
Their main task was to install hardware that modifies the station's 3B power channel, preparing it for the future installation of another International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA).
The new solar array is scheduled to arrive later this year and will be the seventh IROSA installed on the space station.
Once in place, it will provide additional electricity for critical station operations, including systems supporting the station's eventual safe and controlled de-orbit.
WHAT WILL ASTRONAUTS DO DURING THE SPACEWALK?
For Menon, the operation marked a major milestone, being the Indian-origin astronaut's first spacewalk. Meanwhile, it was Meir's sixth.
Meir served as spacewalk crew member 1 and wore a spacesuit with red stripes, while Menon was crew member 2 and wore an unmarked suit.
The mission was part of Nasa's broader effort to maintain and upgrade the International Space Station.
Spacewalks allow astronauts to carry out repairs and install equipment outside the station that cannot be handled from inside.
US Spacewalk 96 was also be the 281st spacewalk conducted in support of ISS assembly, maintenance and upgrades.
A BUSY MONTH OF SPACEWALKS
Spacewalk 96 is the first of three US spacewalks scheduled for August.
On August 13, Spacewalk 97 will involve replacing a space-to-ground communications antenna, which Nasa uses to transmit data and high-speed communications between Mission Control in Houston and the station.
Then, on August 25, Spacewalk 98 will focus on connecting power-channel cables and data relay systems as part of continuing station maintenance.
The astronauts will also replace a navigation aid used by visiting spacecraft during docking at the Harmony module's forward port.
Together, the three space excursions are part of the continuing work to keep the ageing orbital laboratory operational while preparing for its eventual end of service.
For Menon, however, August 6 was a more immediate challenge and an achievement; stepping out of the ISS for the first time and carrying out several hours of work hundreds of kilometres above Earth.
Nasa astronaut Anil Menon stepped outside the International Space Station (ISS) for the first time on Thursday, August 6, joining fellow astronaut Jessica Meir for a spacewalk focused on upgrading the station's power system.
WATCH US SPACEWALK 96 LIVE HERE
WHAT IS US SPACEWALK 96?
Meir and Menon left the ISS through the Quest airlock, the station's dedicated gateway for spacewalks.
Their main task was to install hardware that modifies the station's 3B power channel, preparing it for the future installation of another International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA).
The new solar array is scheduled to arrive later this year and will be the seventh IROSA installed on the space station.
Once in place, it will provide additional electricity for critical station operations, including systems supporting the station's eventual safe and controlled de-orbit.
WHAT WILL ASTRONAUTS DO DURING THE SPACEWALK?
For Menon, the operation marked a major milestone, being the Indian-origin astronaut's first spacewalk. Meanwhile, it was Meir's sixth.
Meir served as spacewalk crew member 1 and wore a spacesuit with red stripes, while Menon was crew member 2 and wore an unmarked suit.
The mission was part of Nasa's broader effort to maintain and upgrade the International Space Station.
Spacewalks allow astronauts to carry out repairs and install equipment outside the station that cannot be handled from inside.
US Spacewalk 96 was also be the 281st spacewalk conducted in support of ISS assembly, maintenance and upgrades.
A BUSY MONTH OF SPACEWALKS
Spacewalk 96 is the first of three US spacewalks scheduled for August.
On August 13, Spacewalk 97 will involve replacing a space-to-ground communications antenna, which Nasa uses to transmit data and high-speed communications between Mission Control in Houston and the station.
Then, on August 25, Spacewalk 98 will focus on connecting power-channel cables and data relay systems as part of continuing station maintenance.
The astronauts will also replace a navigation aid used by visiting spacecraft during docking at the Harmony module's forward port.
Together, the three space excursions are part of the continuing work to keep the ageing orbital laboratory operational while preparing for its eventual end of service.
For Menon, however, August 6 was a more immediate challenge and an achievement; stepping out of the ISS for the first time and carrying out several hours of work hundreds of kilometres above Earth.
Nasa astronaut Anil Menon stepped outside the International Space Station (ISS) for the first time on Thursday, August 6, joining fellow astronaut Jessica Meir for a spacewalk focused on upgrading the station's power system.
WATCH US SPACEWALK 96 LIVE HERE
WHAT IS US SPACEWALK 96?
Meir and Menon left the ISS through the Quest airlock, the station's dedicated gateway for spacewalks.
Their main task was to install hardware that modifies the station's 3B power channel, preparing it for the future installation of another International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA).
The new solar array is scheduled to arrive later this year and will be the seventh IROSA installed on the space station.
Once in place, it will provide additional electricity for critical station operations, including systems supporting the station's eventual safe and controlled de-orbit.
WHAT WILL ASTRONAUTS DO DURING THE SPACEWALK?
For Menon, the operation marked a major milestone, being the Indian-origin astronaut's first spacewalk. Meanwhile, it was Meir's sixth.
Meir served as spacewalk crew member 1 and wore a spacesuit with red stripes, while Menon was crew member 2 and wore an unmarked suit.
The mission was part of Nasa's broader effort to maintain and upgrade the International Space Station.
Spacewalks allow astronauts to carry out repairs and install equipment outside the station that cannot be handled from inside.
US Spacewalk 96 was also be the 281st spacewalk conducted in support of ISS assembly, maintenance and upgrades.
A BUSY MONTH OF SPACEWALKS
Spacewalk 96 is the first of three US spacewalks scheduled for August.
On August 13, Spacewalk 97 will involve replacing a space-to-ground communications antenna, which Nasa uses to transmit data and high-speed communications between Mission Control in Houston and the station.
Then, on August 25, Spacewalk 98 will focus on connecting power-channel cables and data relay systems as part of continuing station maintenance.
The astronauts will also replace a navigation aid used by visiting spacecraft during docking at the Harmony module's forward port.
Together, the three space excursions are part of the continuing work to keep the ageing orbital laboratory operational while preparing for its eventual end of service.
For Menon, however, August 6 was a more immediate challenge and an achievement; stepping out of the ISS for the first time and carrying out several hours of work hundreds of kilometres above Earth.
