Successful Spacewalk Repairs Critical ISS Robotic Arm Joint

On June 30, 2026, two NASA astronauts carried out a crucial maintenance operation on the International Space Station (ISS), replacing a faulty component of its robotic arm. During this operation, astronauts Chris Williams and Jessica Meir worked outside the ISS to install a new wrist joint on the 58-foot-long robot arm known as Canadarm2.

The operation began when flight controllers in Houston detected abnormal current levels and restricted movement in one of the arm’s seven joints. They determined that the component required replacement. Experts from NASA and the Canadian Space Agency concluded that the issue stemmed from joint No. 5, necessitating the installation of a spare joint stored on the station’s external platform. According to ISS operations and integration manager Bill Spetch, Canadarm2 was designed with replaceable elements for such instances.

Astronauts Williams and Meir kicked off the year’s third spacewalk, marking the 280th overall, by switching their suits to battery power at 8:20 a.m. ET. They positioned themselves near the stowage platform and detached the arm’s hand, known as the Latching End Effector (LEE), while securing other healthy joints. Subsequently, the failed joint was removed and the 900-pound assembly temporarily stowed on a shelf. The replacement was completed four and a half hours into the spacewalk.

“That is a good install. Wonderful work,” relayed Canadian astronaut Jenni Gibbons from mission control as the astronauts completed the task.

Following the replacement, the astronauts reattached the LEE cluster and flight controllers verified good electrical connections through the new joint. NASA commentator Sandra Jones confirmed the success, stating that Canadarm2 now had power and data functionality restored.

After the operation, Williams and Meir collected their equipment and returned to the airlock. The failed joint was also returned to the ISS for eventual repairs on Earth. Once repaired, it will be redeployed to the station for future needs.

The robotic arm plays an essential role in station operations. It captures cargo ships like Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus and assists with maintenance activities involving components and spacewalkers. Although NASA plans to conclude ISS operations by 2030, Spetch highlighted the continuing importance of the arm for maintenance activities essential to the station’s function.

“There’s not a time where we say hey, we’re just done repairing the arm,” Spetch noted. Canadarm2 will remain integral to ISS operations until its retirement.