NASA to Cover Three US Spacewalks, Host Preview News Conference

As the International Space Station (ISS) continues its tenure as humanity’s primary laboratory in low Earth orbit, the focus of its operational missions is shifting toward long-term sustainability. NASA has announced a series of three U.S. spacewalks—formally known as Extravehicular Activities (EVAs)—scheduled throughout August 2026. These operations, designated as EVAs 96, 97, and 98, represent the 281st, 282nd, and 283rd spacewalks in support of the station's assembly and maintenance.

These missions serve as a strategic bridge in the station's lifecycle. By upgrading power systems and communication infrastructure, NASA is ensuring the platform remains fully functional for its current research crew while simultaneously readying the facility for its eventual controlled deorbit.

The Operational Roadmap: August 2026

The upcoming series begins with a preview news conference on July 30, 2026, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA experts Bill Spetch, Chris Dobbins, and Chloe Mehring will detail the technical scope of the work. This briefing is essential for understanding how these specific upgrades will influence the station’s remaining operational years.

The following table outlines the objectives for the upcoming series:

Event	Date	Primary Objective
U.S. Spacewalk 96	Aug 6, 2026	Modify 3B power channel; install hardware for future IROSA installation.
U.S. Spacewalk 97	Aug 13, 2026	Replace Space-to-Ground communication antenna.
U.S. Spacewalk 98	Aug 25, 2026	Connect power/data cables; replace docking navigational aid on Harmony module.

For the initial EVA on August 6, astronaut Jessica Meir, wearing the red-striped spacesuit, will be joined by Anil Menon to perform modifications to the 3B power channel. This setup phase is vital for the integration of future International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSA), which provide the power density necessary to keep the station’s systems running efficiently as legacy components age.

Contextualizing the Maintenance Shift

In the earlier years of the ISS, spacewalks were largely focused on assembly and expansion. Today, the nature of these operations has evolved into "preventative maintenance." Because these activities are fully integrated into the annual NASA ISS operations budget, the primary metric of success is the continued reliability of the station's aging infrastructure.

Industry analysts are monitoring these missions closely. The replacement of the Space-to-Ground antenna and the installation of new power and data cabling represent the proactive sustainment of a system that must remain robust enough to support the complex maneuvers required for a safe and controlled deorbit at the end of the station’s life. Maintaining these subsystems prevents failures that could jeopardize the safety of the current crew or the integrity of the station's structure.

Live Coverage and Event Timeline

NASA provides official coverage of these events via the NASA app, the official website at nasa.gov/live, and various NASA social media platforms.

Key Dates

• July 30, 2026: Preview News Conference at Johnson Space Center.
• August 6, 2026: Execution of U.S. Spacewalk 96.
• August 13, 2026: Execution of U.S. Spacewalk 97.
• August 25, 2026: Execution of U.S. Spacewalk 98.

As the station enters this final chapter of its history, these three spacewalks stand as a testament to the meticulous planning required to keep the laboratory flying safely. By replacing navigational aids on the Harmony module and reinforcing data pathways, NASA is ensuring the transition to the next generation of private space platforms is as seamless as possible.