Full Breakdown
NASA and CSA Prepare for June 30 Spacewalk to Replace Canadarm2 Wrist Joint
6/24/2026, 11:26:27 AM
Mission Overview: Joint Replacement on Canadarm2
On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, NASA astronauts Chris Williams and Jessica Meir will exit the ISS Quest airlock to replace a wrist joint on Canadarm2. The EVA begins at ~8:35 a.m. EDT, lasts about six-and-a-half hours, and will be streamed from 7 a.m. on NASA+, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and YouTube.
Background & Context: Recent Joint Failure
Canadarm2, operating for over 25 years, uses replaceable parts for routine maintenance. On May 27, 2026, its wrist joint drew elevated motor current and stopped moving, leading NASA and CSA to schedule a hardware swap.
Key Personnel and Roles
Crew members are Chris Williams (crew-1, red-stripe suit) and Jessica Meir (crew-2, unmarked suit). NASA’s flight director Fiona Antkowiak and integration manager Bill Spetch will oversee from Johnson Space Center, Houston; CSA liaison Jason Dyer will coordinate Canadian input.
Timeline of Preparations
- May 27 2026 – Joint malfunction.
- June 25 2026, 2 p.m. EDT – NASA/CSA preview on YouTube.
- June 30 2026, 8:35 a.m. EDT – EVA launch.
Technical Details and Significance
A spare wrist joint aboard the ISS will replace the faulty part. This EVA is the 280th spacewalk for ISS upkeep, the second for Williams and fifth for Meir. Restoring the joint will return normal motor current and arm mobility, preserving Canadarm2’s essential role in payload handling and inspections, and maintenance, and upgrades.
Official Statements & Responses
NASA said the problem required a hardware swap, not software fixes, and that Canadarm2’s modular design expects such repairs. CSA confirmed the spare joint’s fit and noted joint oversight throughout EVA planning.
On-the-Ground Observations
Portland, Oregon viewers can see the ISS at ~3:10 a.m. on June 30, giving a visual cue before the EVA.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Experts from NASA and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) will preview the upcoming spacewalk during a news conference at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, on the agency’s YouTube channel,” — NASA
- “NASA plans a June 30 spacewalk to replace a malfunctioning wrist joint on the International Space Station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm, the agency announced Monday.” — NASA
- “Astronauts Chris Williams and Jessica Meir will exit the station’s Quest airlock to replace the joint, which failed during routine Canadarm2 operations on May 27 after drawing elevated motor current.” — NASA
- “It will be the 280th spacewalk in support of space station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.” — NASA
What’s Next
The June 25 preview will accept media questions up to fifteen minutes before start. After the June 30 EVA, NASA will assess joint performance and plan any further maintenance.
