Preparing the orbit for new solar power: two upcoming NASA spacewalks
NASA is preparing for a series of extravehicular activities to upgrade the International Space Station's power systems. As engineers and flight directors gather to preview these complex maneuvers, the mission focus remains on installing advanced roll-out solar arrays to sustain the station's future.
On Monday, March 16, NASA officials will hold a news conference at the Johnson Space Center in Houston to detail two upcoming spacewalks. The briefing, scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT, will feature key figures including operations integration manager Bill Spetch and spacewalk flight directors Diana Trujillo and Ronak Dave. This session serves as a technical preview for the media regarding the complex work required to maintain the orbiting laboratory.
The first mission, designated as U.S. spacewalk 94, is set to begin on Wednesday, March 18. Astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams will exit through the Quest airlock for an operation expected to last roughly six and a half hours, starting around 8 a.m. This specific mission involves preparing the 2A power channel for the eventual installation of International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (iROSA). For the crew, the stakes are personal: this marks the fourth spacewalk for Meir and the very first for Williams.
A second mission, U.S. spacewalk 95, is planned for Wednesday, April 1. This activity will focus on preparing the 3B power channel for future solar array deployment. While the astronauts for this second outing have yet to be named, the mission is part of a larger series of station upgrades. These two excursions represent the 278th and 279th spacewalks dedicated to station assembly and maintenance, and they mark the first two station spacewalks of 2026 and the inaugural activities for Expedition 74.
The timing of these missions has shifted due to logistical changes; originally intended for January, the dates were moved following the early departure of the SpaceX Crew-11 mission. These upcoming tasks are critical components of the ongoing effort to ensure the station's power infrastructure remains robust for future research and operations.
Source: U.S. Spacewalk Preview News Conference (Monday, March 16)
