Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has successfully completed his first-ever spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant milestone in his astronaut career. Alongside veteran NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, Menon carried out critical maintenance and upgrade work aimed at preparing the orbital laboratory for the installation of new roll-out solar arrays that will enhance the station's power generation capacity.

The six-hour and 27-minute spacewalk began at 8:33 a.m. EDT (6:03 p.m. IST) on Thursday and concluded at 3:00 p.m. EDT (12:30 a.m. IST Friday). According to NASA, it was the 281st spacewalk conducted in support of the International Space Station, the first for Menon, and the sixth for Meir.

Preparing ISS for More Power

The astronauts exited the station through the Quest airlock and focused their work on the 3B power channel located on the Starboard-6 truss of the ISS.

Their primary task involved installing mounting hardware that will support the future deployment of International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSA). These advanced solar panels are designed to increase the station's electrical output, ensuring sufficient power for scientific experiments, onboard systems, and the eventual controlled deorbit of the aging space station.

NASA has already installed six IROSA units since 2021, with two additional arrays scheduled to arrive later this year.

Cable Routing and Structural Upgrades

During the mission, Menon worked from an articulating portable foot restraint that allowed him to safely access the station's exterior framework. Together, the astronauts routed electrical cables that will connect the upcoming solar arrays to the station's power system.

The duo also installed protective multi-layer insulation over structural components to safeguard the hardware from extreme temperatures and radiation in space.

NASA said these upgrades are an important step toward extending the station's operational capabilities while supporting future missions.

A Moment Above Earth

The spacewalk also featured a memorable moment when Jessica Meir pointed out the Moon to Menon while they worked outside the station.

"Anil, you can see the moon," Meir said over the communication channel.

Responding with enthusiasm, Menon replied, "Yeah, I see it. Thanks for the heads-up. I can see a future moon base there."

The exchange highlighted NASA's long-term ambitions under the Artemis programme, which aims to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon before eventually sending astronauts to Mars.

More Spacewalks Scheduled

NASA has planned two additional spacewalks for the Expedition 75 crew later this month.

On August 13, astronauts will replace a Space-to-Ground antenna, a key communications component that enables data transmission between the ISS and Mission Control in Houston.

Another spacewalk is scheduled for August 25, during which astronauts will continue power-system upgrades, connect data-relay cables, and replace a navigation aid used by visiting spacecraft docking with the station.

These maintenance missions form part of NASA's broader strategy to keep the International Space Station operational while preparing for its eventual retirement and controlled deorbit in the coming years.

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) were placed on a temporary evacuation alert on Friday after a worsening air leak was detected in the Russian segment of the orbiting laboratory. As a precaution, NASA directed the crew to shelter inside their docked spacecraft and prepare for a possible emergency evacuation if conditions deteriorated.

The alert remained in place for around two hours before being lifted, after joint assessments by NASA and Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, confirmed that repair efforts had stabilised the situation. Normal operations aboard the station were subsequently resumed.

Leak Found in Russian Module

According to Roscosmos, two leak points were identified in the transition chamber of the Zvezda service module. One of the leaks has already been sealed, while work continues on addressing the second.

The agency stated that pressure levels inside the station remain stable and within safe limits, indicating that the situation is currently under control.

International Space Station has faced recurring air leakage concerns in this module over the past several years, prompting repeated monitoring and repair efforts by both NASA and Roscosmos.

Crew Briefly Sheltered in Spacecraft

As a precaution during the alert, the four-member Crew-12 team along with an additional astronaut were instructed to enter the docked SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule and wear spacesuits in case an emergency evacuation was required.

The Crew-12 mission includes NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. NASA confirmed that the crew remained safe throughout the incident.

Recurring Technical Concern

The leak issue has been traced to the PrK transfer tunnel attached to the Zvezda module, where small cracks have been observed multiple times in recent years. Despite repeated repairs by international teams, the issue has persisted.

Reports indicate that the rate of air loss recently increased, prompting heightened safety protocols and the latest precautionary shelter order.

NASA officials have previously acknowledged that the cracks remain a closely monitored engineering concern, requiring continuous assessment to ensure crew safety.

Return to Normal Operations

After joint review by mission controllers, NASA and Roscosmos confirmed that the station’s atmosphere remained stable and there was no immediate threat to astronauts onboard. The evacuation alert was lifted, and the crew resumed their scheduled scientific and maintenance activities.

Sunita Williams’ India Visit Strikes an Emotional and Global Chord

The Sunita Williams India visit turned deeply emotional and forward-looking on Tuesday as the Indian-American NASA astronaut addressed students and space enthusiasts at the American Center in New Delhi. Calling her trip a “homecoming,” Williams spoke candidly about her Indian roots, the future of lunar exploration, and why space must remain a shared global frontier.

Her remarks come at a time when space exploration is once again in the global spotlight, with multiple countries racing toward the Moon and private players reshaping the industry.

A New Space Race, But With Shared Responsibility

Speaking at the interactive session, the veteran NASA astronaut said the current Moon race should not be about “who gets there first,” but about building a safe, sustainable, and long-term human presence beyond Earth.

“Space exploration should be democratic,” Williams noted, stressing transparency and cooperation among nations.

She drew parallels with the Antarctica model, where countries collaborate under shared rules. According to Williams, such an approach would prevent dominance by a single nation and ensure that space benefits all of humanity.

 “I Want to Go to the Moon, But My Husband Won’t Allow It”

When asked if she would like to join a future Moon mission, Williams responded with humor that quickly won over the audience.

 “I want to go to the Moon, but my husband will not allow me,” she joked.

At the same time, she struck a reflective note, saying it was time for the next generation to step up and lead humanity’s journey deeper into space.

From an 8-Day Mission to 9 Months in Space

Williams also reflected on one of the most challenging phases of her career. A mission originally planned for eight days stretched into over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

 Total time in space: 608 days

 Spacewalks completed: 9

 Time spent outside spacecraft: 62 hours

She returned to Earth on March 19, marking the end of an illustrious NASA career, though she hinted that opportunities in the private space sector remain open.

Space Debris: The Next Big Threat

Addressing a growing concern, Williams warned that space debris has become a serious challenge over the past decade. She emphasized the need for new technologies to track and manage orbital waste, calling the ISS a vital testing ground for such solutions.

A Heartfelt Moment with Kalpana Chawla’s Family

One of the most touching moments of the visit came when Williams met the family of late astronaut Kalpana Chawla. She embraced Chawla’s 90-year-old mother, Sanyogita Chawla, who described Williams as “family,” recalling her support after the 2003 Columbia disaster.

Why This Matters Now

The Sunita Williams India visit resonates beyond inspiration. As global interest in Moon missions and space commercialization grows, her message of cooperation, sustainability, and unity offers a timely reminder: space is not just a destination, but a shared responsibility for humanity’s future.