NASA, ESA astronauts conduct spacewalk to replace ISS antenna

NASA astronaut Anil Menon (L) and European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot (R) work outside the International Space Station during a spacewalk to replace a space-to-ground antenna, according to NASA, August 18, 2026. /VCG NASA astronaut Anil Menon (L) and European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot (R) work outside the International Space Station during a spacewalk to replace a space-to-ground antenna, according to NASA, August 18, 2026. /VCG NASA astronaut Anil Menon and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sophie Adenot spent nearly six and a half hours outside the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday, trying to replace a Space-to-Ground antenna.The antenna is a critical link for high-speed communications between the ISS and Mission Control Center in Houston.The pair managed to remove the faulty equipment, but ran out of time before they could install a new one, NASA said.Adenot became only the second European woman to conduct a spacewalk, following Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti in 2022.It was Menon's second spacewalk and Adenot's first, and the 282nd spacewalk in support of space station assembly, maintenance and upgrades, according to NASA.