Indian-Origin NASA Astronaut Anil Menon Embarks on Maiden ISS Spacewalk

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon completed a major career milestone on Thursday as he embarked on his first spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS). The six-and-a-half-hour Extravehicular Activity (EVA) saw Menon join veteran NASA astronaut Jessica Meir to carry out critical upgrades to the station’s power system, supporting its long-term scientific mission and future operations.

For Menon, the mission marked the culmination of years of rigorous training and preparation. It also highlighted the growing contribution of astronauts of Indian origin to global space exploration.

Upgrading the ISS Power System

During the spacewalk, Menon and Meir installed hardware on the ISS’s 3B power channel in preparation for the installation of another International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) later this year.

The new solar array will become the seventh IROSA attached to the orbiting laboratory. These advanced panels generate more electricity than the station’s ageing solar arrays, providing additional power for scientific research, life-support systems and future missions.

The upgrades form part of NASA’s long-term strategy to extend the operational life of the ISS while preparing for its planned controlled de-orbit in the next decade.

A Career Milestone for Anil Menon

The mission represented a defining moment in Menon’s career. Selected as part of NASA’s 2021 astronaut class, he brought a unique combination of expertise to the agency.

Before becoming an astronaut, Menon worked as a physician, mechanical engineer and emergency medicine specialist. He also served as SpaceX’s first flight surgeon, helping develop medical support systems for commercial human spaceflight.

Born in the United States to an Indian father from Kerala and a Ukrainian mother, Menon has emerged as one of NASA’s most prominent astronauts of Indian origin.

Ahead of the mission, he shared his excitement on social media, reflecting on the significance of his first venture outside the space station.

One of Spaceflight’s Toughest Assignments

Spacewalks are regarded as among the most demanding operations in human spaceflight. Every movement must be carefully rehearsed, while every tool is securely tethered and each task closely coordinated with mission controllers on Earth.

Outside the ISS, astronauts work in the vacuum of space, where they face extreme temperature variations while travelling around Earth at nearly 28,000 kilometres per hour.

Throughout the mission, Menon and Meir wore NASA’s Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuits. These suits function as self-contained spacecraft, providing oxygen, temperature control, communications and protection against radiation and micrometeoroids.

The astronauts also remained attached to the ISS at all times using multiple safety tethers as they worked on the station’s exterior.

Preparing the Station for Future Missions

The ISS has relied on solar energy for more than two decades. However, many of its original solar arrays have gradually degraded after prolonged exposure to the harsh environment of space.

NASA’s Roll-Out Solar Arrays are lighter, more efficient and capable of producing substantially more electricity than the ageing panels they supplement.

By installing new mounting hardware during this mission, astronauts are preparing the station for future power upgrades without disrupting ongoing operations. The increased power capacity will support a growing number of scientific experiments in microgravity while ensuring reliable electricity for essential station systems.

First of Three August Spacewalks

Thursday’s mission, designated US Spacewalk 96, was the 281st spacewalk conducted in support of the assembly, maintenance and continued expansion of the International Space Station.

It also marked the first of three NASA spacewalks planned during August.

A second EVA is scheduled for 13 August to replace a space-to-ground communications antenna. Another mission on 25 August will focus on connecting power-channel cables and upgrading the station’s data relay systems.

NASA broadcast the entire spacewalk live, allowing audiences worldwide to witness Menon’s historic first EVA.

For India, the achievement carries added significance. As the country advances its human spaceflight ambitions through the Gaganyaan programme, Menon’s maiden spacewalk reflects the expanding global presence of astronauts with Indian roots, continuing a legacy shaped by pioneers such as Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams.