NASA and the European Space Agency are broadcasting a live spacewalk on September 1, 2026, as astronauts Jessica Meir and Sophie Adenot replace a navigational aid and conduct maintenance on the International Space Station. The 6.5-hour extravehicular activity (EVA) marks the sixth all-female spacewalk in history and the first since May 2025. This is the 284th spacewalk at the orbital outpost since 1998, according to NASA, and part of a series of upgrades to the aging station. The event will be streamed live via NASA+, YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Discovery+, with coverage beginning at 7:00 a.m. EDT (11:00 UTC) on September 1.
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The spacewalk, scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. EDT (12:30 UTC), will see Meir and Adenot replace a retroreflector on the Harmony module to support spacecraft navigation during rendezvous and docking operations. This task is critical for ensuring safe docking between the ISS and visiting vehicles. After installing the reflector, the astronauts will also install jumper cables for data-relay systems, prepare the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer’s radiator for future maintenance, and replace a high-definition camera on the station’s truss, according to multiple sources. The duo will review their procedures, prepare their spacesuits, and organize tools inside the Quest airlock throughout Monday, as part of final preparations for the mission.
This spacewalk is the sixth all-female EVA in human history and the first since May 2025, when NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain conducted a similar mission. Meir, a veteran of three previous spacewalks, will make her seventh overall, placing her third among female NASA astronauts in total spacewalks, behind Peggy Whitson (10) and Suni Williams (9). The mission carries symbolic weight as it highlights the growing role of women in space exploration. Meir has participated in three of the five prior all-female spacewalks, including the historic 2019 EVA with Christina Koch. Adenot’s inclusion underscores the European Space Agency’s expanding contributions to ISS operations.
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Live coverage and public access to the EVA reflect NASA’s commitment to transparency and engagement. The agency has emphasized the importance of such missions in maintaining the ISS’s operational capabilities, particularly as it nears the end of its planned lifespan. The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, a $2 billion particle physics experiment, is one of the key systems receiving attention during this EVA, highlighting the scientific value of the work.
The spacewalk occurs amid a series of maintenance efforts to extend the ISS’s functionality. The station, which has hosted astronauts from 26 countries since 1998, relies on regular EVAs to address wear and tear. The event also underscores the international collaboration central to the ISS. While Meir and Adenot are the focus, the mission involves support from other crew members, including Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, who conducted tests on the TORU robotic unit. Such coordination highlights the complex logistics of maintaining a multinational space station.
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This mission, however, emphasizes the inclusion of international partners, reflecting the ISS’s role as a collaborative platform. The live coverage will include commentary and updates from NASA experts, allowing the public to follow the astronauts’ progress in real time. The event is expected to last approximately 6.5 hours, with Meir and Adenot working in tandem to complete their assigned tasks. Their efforts will contribute to the continued operation of the ISS, which remains a critical hub for scientific research and space exploration.
The significance of this EVA extends beyond technical maintenance. It represents a milestone in the representation of women in space missions, following a historic 2019 spacewalk that marked the first all-female EVA. The mission also highlights the evolving role of the European Space Agency in ISS operations, with Adenot’s participation underscoring ESA’s growing involvement in critical spacewalks. As the ISS enters its later years, such missions are essential to ensuring its continued functionality and providing a platform for future space exploration endeavors.
