Two NASA astronauts are set to step outside the International Space Station (ISS) on June 30 to carry out a critical repair mission on the station’s iconic Canadarm2 robotic arm, which has been operating in orbit for more than 25 years. The spacewalk is expected to last nearly seven hours and will mark another major maintenance effort aboard the orbiting laboratory, reported India Today.
NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams have been assigned to the mission. The duo will replace a malfunctioning wrist joint o
n Canadarm2, a 17.6-metre robotic arm jointly operated by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The arm plays a crucial role in station operations, including moving cargo, assisting astronauts during spacewalks and capturing visiting spacecraft.
According to NASA, the wrist joint developed a fault after the system registered elevated motor current during routine operations on May 27. Following an investigation, NASA and the CSA concluded that an external repair was necessary. A replacement joint is already available aboard the station and will be installed during the spacewalk.
The repair operation is scheduled to begin from the ISS Quest airlock. NASA estimates the extravehicular activity (EVA) will last around six hours and 40 minutes. Fellow Expedition 74 crew members Jack Hathaway and Sophie Adenot will assist from inside the station by helping the astronauts prepare for the EVA and positioning Canadarm2 for the repair work.
Canadarm2 has been a cornerstone of ISS operations since its installation in 2001. Despite functioning well beyond its original design life, the robotic arm has remained essential for station maintenance and cargo operations.