On June 20, 2021, NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Thomas Pesquet completed a six-hour and 28-minute spacewalk to install a new roll-out solar array on the International Space Station (ISS). This new solar array is part of a larger effort to upgrade the ISS’s power system and increase its energy output.
The new solar array, known as the iROSA (ISS Roll-Out Solar Array), was delivered to the ISS on June 5th by the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft. The iROSA is a compact, lightweight, and flexible solar panel that can be rolled up like a rug for transport and then unrolled and deployed in space. It measures 63 feet long and 20 feet wide when fully deployed, making it one of the largest solar arrays ever launched into space.
During the spacewalk, Kimbrough and Pesquet worked together to install the iROSA on the ISS’s P6 truss, which is located on the port side of the station. They first removed the existing solar array from the P6 truss and then installed the iROSA in its place. They also connected the iROSA to the ISS’s power system and installed a support bracket to keep it in place.
The iROSA is expected to provide up to 20% more power to the ISS than the existing solar arrays. This additional power will be used to support new science experiments, technology demonstrations, and other activities on the ISS. It will also help to extend the lifespan of the ISS by providing more energy for its systems and equipment.
The installation of the iROSA is part of a larger effort by NASA to upgrade the ISS’s power system. In addition to the iROSA, NASA is also planning to install six more roll-out solar arrays on the ISS over the next few years. These new solar arrays will replace the existing solar arrays, which have been in use since the early 2000s and are beginning to show signs of wear and tear.
The iROSA is also an important step forward in the development of new solar panel technologies for space exploration. Its compact and flexible design makes it easier to transport and deploy in space, which could be useful for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. NASA is currently developing new solar panel technologies that are even more efficient and durable than the iROSA, which could help to power future spacecraft and habitats in space.
Overall, the installation of the iROSA is a significant achievement for NASA and the ISS. It demonstrates NASA’s commitment to upgrading and maintaining the ISS’s infrastructure, as well as its ongoing efforts to develop new technologies for space exploration. With the iROSA and other new solar arrays, the ISS will continue to be a vital platform for scientific research and exploration in space for years to come.
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