Astronauts removed an antenna from the ISS but failed to install a new one — here's why

NASA astronaut Anil Menon and European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot completed a spacewalk outside the International Space Station that lasted 6 hours and 23 minutes. The primary goal of the operation was to replace an antenna that provides communication between the ISS and the Mission Control Center in Houston.

The crew successfully removed the old equipment, but they were unable to install the new antenna during the same spacewalk due to delays that occurred during the work. The installation of the new hardware is now scheduled to be completed during one of the upcoming spacewalks. As a result, the main objective of the current operation was only partially fulfilled.

This spacewalk also marked a historic milestone for French space exploration: Sophie Adenot became the first French woman to work in open space. For Anil Menon, this was his second spacewalk outside the ISS.