The grueling physical and technical reality of orbital maintenance

Space · Published 13 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Space station maintenance is a high-stakes game of orbital construction. From replacing failed antennas to relocating grapple bars, astronauts must perform precise manual labor in a vacuum. These excursions, often lasting over six hours, are essential for keeping the International Space Station functional and safe for the crews inside.

Spacewalks, or Extravehicular Activities (EVAs), are the backbone of orbital infrastructure. On July 9, NASA flight engineers Chris Cassidy and Luca Parmitano conducted a 6-hour, 7-minute excursion to replace a communications receiver and relocate grapple bars. These tasks are not merely repairs; they are strategic preparations for future growth, such as installing cables for a planned Russian laboratory module. This specific outing also served as the first time an Italian astronaut ever walked in space. Furthermore, the team worked to prepare the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer’s radiator for future maintenance needs.

The technical complexity scales with each mission. For instance, during EVA-98, astronauts Sophie Adenot and Anil Menon worked to restore redundancy to the Space-To-Ground antenna (SGANT) after a failure in November 2025. This specific task required removing a failed unit and installing a spare to maintain high-speed communication between the station and mission control in Houston. Such missions are often delayed by the physical realities of space, such as stuck bolts and connectors that can stall progress. The crew also had to replace a high-definition camera located on the station’s truss. Additionally, they were tasked with replacing a retroreflector on the Harmony module's forward port to aid in docking operations.

The human element is equally significant. These missions build on decades of experience, with some astronauts performing their seventh walk while others, like Parmitano, become the first of their nation to enter the vacuum. These efforts contribute to a massive cumulative history, with some specific maintenance tasks marking the 284th spacewalk supporting the station's assembly and upgrades. Jessica Meir's participation in these missions places her third among all women at NASA for total spacewalks. Meanwhile, the station's commander and a flight engineer operated the Canadarm2 robotic arm to provide external assistance during the EVA.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The grueling reality of orbital repair beyond the safety of the airlock
• The high-stakes choreography of maintaining a space station
• Repairing the Orbit: The High-Stakes Logistics of Space Station Maintenance
• The high-stakes engineering of maintaining life in orbit
• Relocating the machinery of orbit: the logistics of extravehicular activity
• Why astronauts spend two hours a day fighting their own bodies
• How astronauts stay still while talking to you from orbit
• What does it feel like to live and work in orbit?
• The precise choreography of opening a door in orbit
• A milestone moment for two astronauts outside the International Space Station
• NASA's final room addition provides a massive zero-gravity closet
• How Europe's new space-based camera tracks lightning strikes from 36,000 kilometers above Earth.

More in Space agencies · More in Space · Latest · A–Z · All topics