NASA Schedules Spacewalks 94 & 95 for ISS Solar Array Upgrades

NASA has officially set the dates for two critical spacewalks, designated EVAs 94 and 95, outside the International Space Station (ISS) in March 2026, as confirmed by multiple credible sources including NASA itself and The Times of India. The first spacewalk, U.S. spacewalk 94, is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, and will be conducted by NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams. This will mark Meir's fourth spacewalk and Williams' first, contributing to the ongoing maintenance and enhancement of the orbiting laboratory. The primary objective of spacewalk 94 is to prepare the 2A power channel on the ISS for the future installation of International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (iROSA). These new solar arrays are crucial for boosting the station's power generation capabilities, which are essential for its scientific operations and overall longevity as it approaches its planned deorbit in the coming years. The second spacewalk, U.S. spacewalk 95, will follow, with NASA indicating it will also focus on preparing the station's 3B power channel for another future iROSA installation. Details regarding the specific crew members and the exact date and time for spacewalk 95 will be provided closer to the operation. These upcoming spacewalks are particularly significant as they represent the 278th and 279th spacewalks in support of the ISS's assembly, maintenance, and upgrades. They are also the first two spacewalks for the station in 2026 and for Expedition 74, highlighting the continuous efforts required to keep the complex operational in the harsh environment of space. The missions underscore the commitment of international partners to sustain the ISS as a vital platform for scientific research and technological development. Originally, spacewalks 94 and 95 were slated for January 2026. However, these initial plans were postponed due to a medical issue concerning an unidentified crew member, which also led to the early departure of NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 mission. The decision to adjust the schedule reflected NASA's paramount priority on crew safety and well-being. The initial January plans for spacewalk 94 involved astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman preparing the 2A power channel for iROSA, while spacewalk 95 was set to involve tasks like replacing a high-definition camera, installing a new navigational aid (a planar reflector), and relocating ammonia servicer jumpers. While these types of maintenance tasks are routine for spacewalks, the current March schedule's primary focus for both EVAs 94 and 95, as per the latest NASA announcement, is specifically on the iROSA power channel preparations. NASA is committed to providing comprehensive live coverage of both spacewalks. Viewers in India and around the globe can tune in to watch the astronauts' progress in real-time via NASA+, Amazon Prime, and the agency's official YouTube channel. The broadcasts will feature expert commentary and various camera views, including those from the astronauts' helmets, offering an immersive experience of these complex extravehicular activities. Each spacewalk is expected to last approximately six and a half hours. A news conference to preview the spacewalks with key NASA personnel is scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026, at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The International Space Station continues to serve as a beacon of international collaboration and scientific discovery. Updates to its power systems are critical for maintaining its operational capabilities, allowing for continued research into microgravity's effects on biology, advanced materials, and Earth observation. For an Indian audience, such developments are particularly resonant, given India's own burgeoning space program and its increasing contributions to global space exploration endeavors, including potential future collaborations on human spaceflight missions. These spacewalks are a testament to humanity's ongoing presence and work in low Earth orbit, paving the way for future explorations deeper into space.

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