Eighth and final solar array: spacewalkers install the wing, completing space station power upgrade

Final array reaches its mount

The astronauts began their spacewalk at 8:36 a.m. ET on Thursday to install the final IROSA at the far right end of the station’s power truss. The work completed an upgrade that had been underway for five years.

Unlike the previous installation, the Canadarm II could not carry Menon and the solar blanket directly to the required site. Menon and Kutryk passed it between them in a leapfrog sequence until they reached a waiting support frame.

Crew checks a connection

After the station moved back into sunlight, flight controllers saw that one of the two rolled-up blankets did not seem to be producing a small amount of electricity. The spacewalkers waited for another period in darkness so they could check the connections again.

Panels add station power

The new panels are smaller than the original arrays but use more efficient, state-of-the-art solar cells. Although they shade parts of the arrays beneath them, they still increase the station’s overall power output.

After returning to the airlock, Menon said the panels were half the size of the old ones and delivered 40% more power. He said the added electricity supports research and the station’s work to open doors to the future.