NASA Astronauts Conduct Spacewalk to Prepare ISS for Solar Array Upgrades

NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams performed a spacewalk outside the International Space Station on March 18, 2026, lasting seven hours and two minutes. This activity, designated U.S. spacewalk 94, involved preparations for future installation of Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSA) on the station's 2A power channel. Meir, conducting her fourth extravehicular activity, worked alongside Williams, who was experiencing his first spacewalk. The astronauts exited through the Quest airlock to install modification kits that will support upcoming solar array enhancements. NASA released photographic documentation of the mission, captured using Nikon Z9 and D5 cameras with various lenses. Meir described the event on social media as particularly meaningful because she could mentor a new astronaut during his inaugural spacewalk. She expressed that passing operational knowledge to emerging explorers represents a significant moment for continued space station operations. This spacewalk was recorded as the 278th conducted to maintain, upgrade, and assemble the orbiting laboratory. While the astronauts worked outside, a satellite captured an image of the International Space Station with them visible during their exterior activities.