Astronauts just gave the International Space Station a powerful upgrade

NASA astronaut Anil Menon and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Joshua Kutryk have completed a 7-hour, 11-minute spacewalk outside the International Space Station, marking another important step in a major upgrade to the orbiting laboratory's power system. The astronauts finished their work at 3:08 p.m. EDT.

During the spacewalk, Menon and Kutryk installed and deployed a new International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) on the station's 2A electrical power channel. This is the seventh such array added to the station, providing additional electricity for essential operations, including the station's eventual safe and controlled deorbit.

Final Spacewalk Will Complete Solar Array Upgrade

The astronauts also performed several preliminary tasks to prepare for another spacewalk scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5. During that mission, astronauts will install the eighth and final solar array on the station's 3B power channel. NASA plans to begin live coverage at 6:45 a.m., with information on how to watch available through the agency.

Once the final array is installed, the International Space Station's solar power expansion will be complete. Together, the eight new arrays will increase the station's available power by as much as 30%, raising its electricity generation capacity from 160 kilowatts to approximately 215 kilowatts.

A Milestone for Space Station Operations

The completed mission, designated U.S. spacewalk 100, marked Menon's fourth spacewalk and Kutryk's first. It was also the 285th spacewalk conducted to support the assembly, maintenance, and improvement of the International Space Station.