NASA astronaut Anil Menon and European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot completed a 6-hour, 23-minute spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The astronauts successfully removed a failed communications antenna, but delays prevented them from installing its replacement.

Astronauts Remove Failed Space-to-Ground Antenna

Menon and Adenot were assigned to remove and replace a Space-to-Ground antenna that had been unusable since November. The antenna could no longer track NASA’s data relay satellites, which support communications between the orbiting laboratory and teams on Earth.

A second antenna has continued transmitting critical station data and providing high-speed communications with Mission Control in Houston.

Spacewalk planners allocated approximately six and a half hours for the repair. The Expedition 75 crewmates removed the failed antenna from its mounting point on the station’s truss but encountered unexpected difficulties while disconnecting electrical connections.

They also needed additional time to secure the antenna’s gimbal bolts, or locking pins, before moving the large dish assembly to a temporary storage location.

“We got into this with the mindset that we wanted everything to go perfectly,” Menon said as the spacewalk concluded. “Things were a lot different than expected, but what I would say that I am really impressed with is that all of those contingencies were well thought out.”

Replacement Antenna Installation Postponed

Because of the delays, flight controllers instructed the astronauts to tether the failed antenna securely to the station’s truss. They then directed Menon and Adenot to return to the airlock without installing the replacement.

The remaining work will be completed during a future extravehicular activity, or EVA. Mission managers will determine whether to add the installation to a spacewalk planned for Tuesday, Aug. 25, or schedule it for a later date.

The incomplete replacement does not pose an immediate communications problem because the station’s second Space-to-Ground antenna remains operational.

Spacewalk Lasts More Than Six Hours

Menon and Adenot began the spacewalk at 8:29 a.m. EDT when they switched their spacesuits to battery power. The EVA officially ended at 2:52 p.m. EDT after they returned to the U.S. Quest airlock and repressurization began.

Their total spacewalking time was 6 hours and 23 minutes.

Tuesday’s outing was the 282nd spacewalk conducted in support of International Space Station assembly, maintenance and upgrades. It was also the fifth ISS spacewalk of the year, the second during Expedition 75 and the 97th performed at the station using U.S. extravehicular mobility unit spacesuits.

Sophie Adenot Makes French Spaceflight History

The mission marked Menon’s second spacewalk. He completed his first EVA with NASA astronaut Jessica Meir on Aug. 6. Menon has now accumulated 12 hours and 50 minutes of spacewalking experience.

For Adenot, Tuesday’s assignment was her first time working in the vacuum of space. She became the first French woman and the fifth French citizen to conduct a spacewalk.

She followed Jean-Loup Chrétien, Jean-Pierre Haigneré, Philippe Perrin and Thomas Pesquet, who previously represented France during spacewalks.

“What a day!” Adenot said. “My deepest gratitude to everyone who made this possible — the pioneers who came before us, but also the incredible teams working behind the scenes today.”

Although the astronauts could not complete the antenna replacement, they safely removed and secured the failed equipment. NASA will evaluate the remaining work before deciding when the new communications antenna will be installed.