NASA will cover three US spacewalks in August 2026 to continue upgrading solar arrays, replace a communications antenna, and connect power and data cables on the International Space Station. A news conference previewing the spacewalks will be held at 2 p.m. EDT on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
US-based media interested in attending the news conference in person must contact the Johnson newsroom by 3 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Media joining by phone must request dial-in details by the same deadline and dial in at least 15 minutes before the start.
During the first spacewalk (US spacewalk 96), NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Anil Menon will exit the Quest airlock to install hardware modifying the station's 3B power channel. This prepares for future installation of an International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA). The solar array to be delivered later in 2026 will be the seventh IROSA, providing additional power for station operations, including safe and controlled deorbit.
Live coverage for US spacewalk 96 begins at 7 a.m., with the spacewalk expected to start at 8:35 a.m. and last about six and a half hours. Spacewalk 96 will be the sixth for Meir and the first for Menon. During the spacewalk, Meir will wear a suit with red stripes and Menon will wear an unmarked suit.
US spacewalk 97 will involve two astronauts replacing a Space-to-Ground antenna, a critical communication system used by NASA to transmit data and high-speed communication between the Mission Control Center in Houston and the space station. US spacewalk 98 will focus on connecting power channel cables and data relay systems, and replacing a navigational aid for spacecraft docking on the Harmony module's forward port.
These three spacewalks will be the 281st, 282nd, and 283rd conducted in support of International Space Station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades. NASA will share additional details about spacewalks 97 and 98, including timing, crew members, and coverage information, closer to each operation.