Washington: Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has successfully completed his first-ever spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) alongside veteran astronaut Jessica Meir, helping upgrade the orbiting laboratory’s power infrastructure for future solar array installations. The mission marked a significant milestone in Menon’s space career and was the 281st spacewalk conducted in support of ISS assembly, maintenance and upgrades.

The nearly 6.5-hour extravehicular activity (EVA) focused on preparing the station for the installation of another International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) later this year, which will increase the station’s power generation capacity.

First spacewalk for Anil Menon

The spacewalk began at 8:33 am EDT (6:03 pm IST) on Thursday and concluded at 3:00 pm EDT (12:30 am IST Friday).

While it was Jessica Meir’s sixth spacewalk, the mission marked Anil Menon’s maiden EVA, making it a career-defining achievement for the physician, engineer and NASA astronaut of Indian origin.

Upgrading the ISS power system

During the mission, Menon and Meir assembled and installed a modification kit on the station’s 3B power channel.

The hardware will enable NASA to install another IROSA later this year. The additional solar array is expected to improve the station’s electricity generation, supporting scientific research, onboard systems and the ISS’s long-term operational requirements.

Part of a series of August spacewalks

NASA said the mission is the first of three US spacewalks planned for August.

The next EVA will focus on replacing a space-to-ground communications antenna, while a third mission later this month will involve connecting power-channel cables and data relay systems. These upgrades are part of NASA’s ongoing efforts to modernise the ageing space station.

Safety remained top priority

Throughout the mission, both astronauts remained attached to the station using safety tethers while wearing pressurised Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuits designed to protect them from the harsh conditions of space.

Mission controllers continuously monitored the astronauts from NASA’s Johnson Space Center, ensuring that every stage of the operation proceeded safely.

Who is Anil Menon?

Anil Menon, whose family traces its roots to Kerala, was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021.

Before joining NASA’s astronaut corps, he worked as SpaceX’s first flight surgeon, supporting several commercial crew missions. A physician and engineer by training, Menon has contributed extensively to human spaceflight programmes and medical operations.

Milestone for Indian-origin astronauts

Menon’s successful EVA adds another milestone to the achievements of astronauts of Indian origin working with NASA.

His maiden spacewalk highlights the growing contributions of Indian-origin scientists, engineers and astronauts to international space exploration and the continued maintenance of the International Space Station.

Conclusion

Anil Menon’s first spacewalk represents a major personal achievement and an important step in NASA’s efforts to upgrade the International Space Station. Together with Jessica Meir, he successfully completed critical work that will support the installation of next-generation solar arrays, ensuring the ISS remains capable of supporting scientific missions in the years ahead.