2 astronauts will finish upgrading ISS solar arrays during spacewalk today: Watch it live

International Collaboration Outside the Orbital Complex

A major milestone in upgrading the power infrastructure of the International Space Station (ISS) is underway. NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk are stepping into the vacuum of space to carry out a critical spacewalk outside the orbital laboratory. The joint spacewalk, bringing together astronauts from the United States and Canada, is being broadcast live to audiences worldwide.

This extravehicular activity highlights the close ongoing operational cooperation between international space partners. Both astronauts are working in tandem to execute carefully coordinated procedures designed to secure the long-term energy needs of the research facility.

Installing the Final Roll-Out Solar Array

The primary objective of the mission is the installation of the space station's final roll-out solar array. These modern arrays, designed to unfurl like rolled mats after reaching orbit, are mounted onto existing support structures to augment the station's existing power channels. Menon and Kutryk are tasked with securing mechanical latches, aligning mounting brackets, and integrating essential electrical connections.

Operating in microgravity for several consecutive hours, the crew members rely on specialized tethering and orbital tools to manage the large components safely. With the deployment of this final unit, the multi-phase program to upgrade the station's primary solar generation hardware reaches its operational conclusion.

Securing Power for Cutting-Edge Orbital Science

Integrating modern roll-out solar arrays ensures that the ISS maintains a robust and resilient electrical supply capable of supporting hundreds of active scientific experiments. High-draw laboratory equipment, external payloads, and environmental systems depend entirely on the consistent collection and distribution of solar energy.

Completing this upgrade provides a stable operational foundation for the remainder of the station's lifespan, supporting biological, physical, and technology-demonstration investigations aimed at preparing future long-duration deep-space missions.