NASA Astronauts Repair ISS Robotic Arm During Seven-Hour Spacewalk at 28,000 kmph

Two NASA astronauts successfully completed a challenging spacewalk aboard the International Space Station (ISS), repairing one of the orbiting laboratory’s most vital robotic systems while travelling around Earth at nearly 28,000 kmph. The mission marked another significant milestone in maintaining the station’s critical infrastructure and ensuring its continued scientific operations.

Astronauts Chris Williams and Jessica Meir spent approximately seven hours and 20 minutes outside the ISS carrying out the intricate repair. Their primary objective was to replace a malfunctioning wrist joint on Canadarm2, the station’s sophisticated robotic arm that plays a crucial role in supporting maintenance work, moving equipment and assisting astronauts during spacewalks.

The faulty component had developed problems in May, prompting engineers and mission specialists to plan the complex repair operation. Working in the harsh environment of space, the astronauts carefully removed the damaged part and installed a replacement unit while following detailed procedures developed by NASA’s mission control team.

Following the installation, initial system checks confirmed that the newly fitted wrist joint was functioning as expected. Engineers will continue conducting additional tests over the coming days before declaring the robotic arm fully operational and ready to resume its regular duties.

Canadarm2 is one of the most important pieces of equipment aboard the ISS, helping capture visiting spacecraft, relocate modules and support astronauts during external maintenance activities. Ensuring its reliability is considered essential for the station’s daily operations and future missions..