NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Joshua Kutryk completed a 7-hour, 11-minute spacewalk to install and deploy the seventh roll-out solar array aboard the International Space Station.
NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk concluded their spacewalk outside the International Space Station at 3:08 p.m. EDT. During the 7-hour, 11-minute operation, the astronauts installed and deployed an International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) on the station’s 2A electrical power channel.
The newly installed array is the seventh IROSA aboard the space station. It will provide additional electricity to support critical operations, including the station’s safe and controlled deorbit.
Eighth and Final Solar Array Installation Planned for November 5
During the spacewalk, Menon and Kutryk also completed several preparatory tasks for a planned spacewalk on Thursday, November 5. During that operation, they are scheduled to install the eighth and final IROSA on the station’s 3B power channel.
NASA will begin live coverage of the November 5 spacewalk at 6:45 a.m. EDT. Viewers can follow the coverage through NASA’s official live broadcast.
Once the final array is installed, the station’s roll-out solar array system will be fully deployed, completing the planned augmentation of its power system.
Eight Arrays to Increase Available Power by Up to 30%
Together, the eight roll-out solar arrays will increase the International Space Station’s available power by up to 30%. This will raise its power generation capacity from 160 kilowatts to approximately 215 kilowatts.
The additional power generation capacity will support the station’s operations as it continues its scientific and other activities in orbit.
The operation was designated U.S. spacewalk 100. It was the fourth spacewalk for Menon and the first for Kutryk.
It also marked the 285th spacewalk conducted in support of the International Space Station’s assembly, maintenance and upgrades. The installation of the seventh IROSA brings the station closer to completing its power system augmentation, with the final array scheduled for installation on November 5.
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