'You just saved the video dish': Two astronauts complete spacewalk to replace ISS antenna

space.com Aug 25, 2026

‘You just saved the video dish’: Two astronauts complete spacewalk to replace ISS antenna

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 25, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

NASA astronaut Anil Menon and ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot completed a six‑and‑a‑half‑hour spacewalk on Aug. 25 to replace a faulty Space‑to‑Ground antenna on the International Space Station’s Z‑1 truss. The crew retrieved a spare antenna from external storage, mounted it, and connected power and data lines, then stowed the defective unit on the starboard side of the truss. The antenna had been unable to track NASA’s data‑relay satellites since November, forcing reliance on a single backup and eliminating redundancy. This EVA, the 283rd supporting ISS assembly and maintenance, marked Menon’s third spacewalk (19 h 20 min total) and Adenot’s second (12 h 53 min), making her the first French woman to walk in space twice. The repair restores communications capability for voice, video and critical data.

💡 Why It Matters

· Restoring the redundant antenna ensures continuous high‑bandwidth video and telemetry links, a prerequisite for upcoming commercial and scientific payloads that depend on real‑time data.

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NASA Tests Self-Guided Terrain Camera in Near Space: Second Balloon Flight Clears…

NASA’s CLIC 2 mission successfully tested a compact imaging payload that autonomously processes terrain data during descent from a high-altitude balloon. Launched from Fort Sumner, New Mexico, on August 24, 2025, the system reached 126,000 feet, operating for 3 hours and 41 minutes before recovery. The payload’s real‑time hazard detection mirrors the autonomy required for future Moon and Mars landers, providing critical data on performance under low‑pressure, high‑radiation conditions similar to interplanetary descent. The test validates a key technology that could enable safer, more precise planetary landings.

💡 Demonstrating onboard terrain analysis in near‑space proves the feasibility of autonomous hazard avoidance for upcoming lunar and Martian missions, reducing reliance on delayed Earth‑based commands.

thecsrjournal.in · Aug 26

Assam to Launch ‘AssamSAT’ for Data-Driven Governance and Development

Assam’s government announced plans to launch its own earth‑observation satellite, “AssamSAT,” making the state the first in India to develop a dedicated satellite system. The project follows the DBLOTT model—Design, Build, Launch, Operate, Train, Transfer—and is in the final selection stage for a private‑sector partner after receiving multiple expressions of interest. The satellite will support agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure development, border security, and police operations, providing real‑time data for data‑driven governance and socio‑economic projects. The initiative marks a shift from data consumer to active contributor in India’s space ecosystem.

💡 By owning its own satellite, Assam can directly tailor data collection to local needs, accelerating precision agriculture and rapid disaster response. This autonomy reduces reliance on external data sources and positions the state as a regional leader in space‑enabled development.

organiser.org · Aug 26

India’s Space Boom: 440 Startups, 113 IN-SPACe Authorisations and Rs 1,000 Crore…

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade released data showing 440 registered space‑technology startups in India, with 113 authorisations granted by IN‑SPACe to 52 non‑government entities, including 18 recognised start‑ups. The list includes prominent firms such as Agnikul Cosmos, Skyroot Aerospace, Dhruva Space and PixxelSpace, as well as newer entrants like OrbitAID Aerospace and GalaxEye. The government’s reply, presented to the Rajya Sabha by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, details the regulatory framework and year‑wise facilitation trends, but state‑level distribution data remain unavailable.

💡 The rapid authorisation of diverse start‑ups signals a maturing private space sector, positioning India as a competitive player in global space markets.

space.com · Aug 26

Starbase Louisiana: SpaceX announces enormous $100 billion Starbase launch site

SpaceX and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced a $100 billion investment to build “Starbase Louisiana” in Vermilion Parish. The facility will house ten Starship launch pads, each with its own propellant farm, and include vehicle processing, power generation, deep‑water shipping, and a potential airport. The site aims to support thousands of Starship launches annually, enabling SpaceX’s goal of up to 10,000 flights per year and advancing lunar and interplanetary missions. The project marks Louisiana’s largest infrastructure undertaking and a key step toward mass‑producing reusable rockets.

💡 The new launch complex will dramatically increase launch cadence, positioning SpaceX to meet NASA’s Artemis lunar schedule and accelerate commercial satellite deployment. It also signals a major shift in U.S. space infrastructure, potentially reshaping the industry’s geographic and logistical landscape.

ibtimes.co.uk · Aug 25

18 African Countries Are Building Their Own Space Programmes to Cut Western…

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💡 By building indigenous space capabilities, African countries can tailor satellite services to local needs—boosting agriculture, disaster response, and data sovereignty—without depending on external providers.

thecsrjournal.in · Aug 25

ISRO’s New Space Strategy: Private Industry Set to Take a Bigger Role

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💡 By handing production to private firms, India can scale launch and satellite output faster, positioning itself as a key player in the global space economy.