Astronauts Install Seventh ISS Roll-Out Solar Array on 2A Power Channel
NASA's Anil Menon and CSA's Joshua Kutryk installed the seventh IROSA on ISS power channel 2A during a 7-hour, 11-minute spacewalk; an eighth is planned for Nov. 5.
The story in focus
NASA astronaut Anil Menon and CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk completed a 7-hour, 11-minute spacewalk on Oct. 29, 2026, installing and deploying the seventh International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array on the 2A power channel. The eighth and final IROSA is planned for Nov. 5.
- The spacewalk concluded at 3:08 p.m. EDT after 7 hours and 11 minutes.
- The newly installed IROSA is the seventh of eight planned arrays.
- The eighth and final IROSA is scheduled for installation during a Nov. 5 spacewalk.
- Upon completion, the eight arrays are expected to increase available power by up to 30%.
- The upgrade would raise station power generation from 160 kilowatts to approximately 215 kilowatts.
Spacewalk completes seventh array installation
NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk concluded their spacewalk outside the International Space Station at 3:08 p.m. EDT, according to NASA. During the 7-hour, 11-minute excursion, the pair installed and deployed an International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) on the station's 2A electrical power channel.
The newly installed array is the seventh IROSA on the station. NASA says it will provide additional power to support critical operations, including a safe and controlled deorbit. Menon and Kutryk also completed get-ahead tasks for the next spacewalk.
Final array scheduled for Nov. 5
A planned Thursday, Nov. 5 spacewalk will see Menon and Kutryk install the eighth and final IROSA on the 3B power channel. NASA will provide live coverage beginning at 6:45 a.m.
Following that spacewalk, the roll-out solar arrays will be fully installed, completing the station's power system augmentation. NASA states that together the eight arrays will increase available power by up to 30%, boosting generation capacity from 160 kilowatts to approximately 215 kilowatts.
How much power will the completed IROSA installation add to the space station?
NASA says the eight arrays together will increase available power by up to 30%, raising the station's power generation capacity from 160 kilowatts to approximately 215 kilowatts.
Sources & further reading
- Spacewalkers Install Roll-Out Solar Array for Power Generation - NASA ↗NASA (.gov)
- Spacewalkers begin final phase of multi-year space station power system upgrade ↗CBS News
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