ISS astronauts install seventh solar array during spacewalk

NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk completed a seven hour and 11 minute spacewalk on Thursday to install the seventh of eight new solar arrays on the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, which began around 8:00 a.m. EDT, involved using the Canadarm2 robotic arm to transport the International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (iROSA) to its installation site on the station's port side truss structure.

This upgrade program, which began in 2021, aims to increase the station's power generation capacity by up to 30 percent, raising it from 160 kilowatts to approximately 215 kilowatts. The additional electricity will support critical operations and essential life support systems through the station's planned decommissioning in 2030.

Inside the station, NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney provided support by managing the robotic arm and assisting with suit procedures. This excursion marks the 285th spacewalk for ISS assembly and maintenance, and the 100th conducted by U.S. astronauts. Joshua Kutryk became the fifth Canadian astronaut to perform a spacewalk. A final spacewalk is scheduled for November 5 to install the eighth and last array.