NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) have finalized preparations for a June 30 spacewalk to replace a degraded joint on Canadarm2, ensuring the International Space Station remains capable of capturing cargo vehicles and performing external maintenance.
In a press conference, NASA and CSA officials outlined the details of the spacewalk. NASA astronauts Chris Williams and Jessica Meir will conduct the 6.5-hour spacewalk to swap a wrist joint that experienced an elevated motor current on May 27. The operation marks the 280th spacewalk for space station assembly and maintenance. CSA astronaut Jenny Gibbons will guide the pair from mission control in Houston.
The procedure requires Williams and Meir to first detach a 408-kilogram (900-pound) latching end effector to access the faulty joint. They will then swap the 91-kilogram (200-pound) malfunctioning joint with a spare unit already stored on the station exterior. The degarded component will be brought inside the station and eventually returned to Earth for analysis and refurbishment.
Launched in April 2001, Canadarm2 has operated well beyond its original 15-year lifespan. The robotic system, designed by the Canadian Space Agency in partnership with MDA Space, remains a critical piece of infrastructure for docking visiting spacecraft and manipulating heavy payloads.
“Canadarm2 was originally designed for 15 years of use, but as the space station exceeded expectations, so did the Canadarm,” said Jason Dyer, deputy liaison manager for the CSA. “Now just passing 25 years of use, it is aging gracefully and it is showing signs of wear.”
The need for a spacewalk highlights the aging hardware of the orbital laboratory, though officials emphasize that systems like Canadarm2 were built with replaceable, modular parts. Bill Spetch, operations and integration manager for the space station program, confirmed the arm is essential for operations until the planned decommissioning of the facility in 2030. If Canadarm2 were out of commission for a prolonged period, the station would face severe limitations in receiving cargo and conducting exterior repairs.
Following the Canadarm2 repair, NASA anticipates a busy schedule, including three subsequent spacewalks and a crew rotation in July. The continued maintenance of Canadian robotics ensures the station retains full operational capacity in its final decade.