HOUSTON, 30 June (H.S.): NASA astronauts Chris Williams and Jessica Meir began a spacewalk on Tuesday to replace a malfunctioning wrist joint on the International Space Station's (ISS) Canadarm2 robotic arm, a key system used for station maintenance, cargo operations, and scientific activities.

The spacewalk began at approximately 8:35 a.m. EDT and was expected to last around six and a half hours. The repair was undertaken after engineers identified a fault in one of the robotic arm's wrist joints during routine operations on May 27.

According to NASA, the affected joint showed unusually high motor current and did not move as expected. After a detailed assessment by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), mission managers decided that the faulty component should be replaced with a spare wrist joint already stored aboard the ISS.

Canadarm2, developed by the Canadian Space Agency, has been a vital part of the International Space Station since it was installed in April 2001. The robotic arm is used to capture visiting cargo spacecraft, relocate equipment, support astronauts during maintenance work, and assist with scientific operations. Despite being in service for more than two decades, the system has remained operational through regular inspections and replacement of worn components.

Williams and Meir spent several days preparing for Tuesday's mission by checking their spacesuits, reviewing repair procedures, inspecting tools, and rehearsing the complex sequence of tasks required for the operation. Other members of the Expedition 74 crew supported the preparations from inside the station.

NASA said replacing the damaged wrist joint is expected to restore Canadarm2 to full operational capability, ensuring the continued safe and reliable functioning of one of the International Space Station's most important robotic systems.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar