Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Astronauts Remove Faulty ISS Antenna, Postpone Spare Installation
Two astronauts went outside the International Space Station to replace a broken communications antenna.
They successfully removed the old antenna.
However, several connectors, pins and bolts were harder to handle than expected.
This made the spacewalk take longer than planned.
The astronauts did not have enough time to install the new antenna.
Reports differ on whether the old antenna was temporarily stowed, but NASA said it was not moved to its permanent storage location.
The station still has another working antenna for important communications.
NASA plans to discuss finishing the job during another spacewalk.
That spacewalk is currently planned for August 25.
Anil Menon and Sophie Adenot removed a failed space-to-ground antenna during a six-hour-23-minute spacewalk.
Delays disconnecting cables, connectors, locking pins and antenna bolts left insufficient time to install the replacement.
Mission control instructed the astronauts to return to the airlock after deciding there was not enough time to complete the remaining work.
Reports describe the removed antenna as stowed, while NASA said it was not moved to its permanent storage location.
The ISS remains operational because its second space-to-ground antenna continues providing high-data-rate communications; installation is tentatively planned for August 25.
- Who
- NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Sophie Adenot, supported by mission controllers.
- What
- They removed a faulty International Space Station space-to-ground antenna but postponed installing its replacement.
- When
- The spacewalk took place on August 18 and lasted six hours and 23 minutes; a follow-up spacewalk is tentatively planned for August 25.
- Where
- Outside the International Space Station, at the Z1 truss and near the Quest airlock.
- Why
- Difficulties disconnecting cables and connectors, installing locking pins and loosening antenna bolts consumed the available working time.
- Spacewalk duration
- Six hours and 23 minutes
- Main task completed
- Removal of the failed space-to-ground antenna
- Task postponed
- Retrieval and installation of the replacement antenna
- Communications status
- A second space-to-ground antenna remains operational
- Spacewalk date
- August 18
- Next planned opportunity
- A follow-up spacewalk is tentatively scheduled for August 25
- Spacewalk milestone
- The mission was the 282nd spacewalk supporting ISS assembly, maintenance and upgrades
