NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk successfully installed and deployed the eighth and final International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) on November 5, 2026, completing a power augmentation programme that began more than five years ago, according to NASA.
At a glance
- Spacewalk: U.S. spacewalk 101, 8:36 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. EST on November 5, 2026 — six hours and 59 minutes
- Crew: NASA astronaut Anil Menon (his fifth spacewalk) and CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk (his second), both Expedition 75
- Installed: the eighth and final International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA), on the 3B channel
- Power: the roll-out arrays raise capacity from 160 kilowatts to approximately 215 kilowatts, NASA said
- Programme: began in February 2021; 18 spacewalks to prepare power channel equipment and install the eight arrays
- Milestone: the 286th spacewalk in support of space station assembly, maintenance and upgrades
The spacewalk concluded at 3:35 p.m. EST on November 5, lasting six hours and 59 minutes. The two astronauts — both members of Expedition 75 — installed the array on the 3B power channel of the International Space Station (ISS), completing the power augmentation upgrades.
Spacewalk Duration and Timeline
The extravehicular activity, designated U.S. spacewalk 101, began at 8:36 a.m. EST. It marked the 286th spacewalk conducted in support of ISS assembly, maintenance, and upgrades, NASA said.
Kutryk served as spacewalk crew member 1, identifiable by the red stripes on his suit, while Menon served as crew member 2 in an unmarked suit. The outing was Menon's fifth career spacewalk and Kutryk's second.
Station Power Capacity Raised to 215 Kilowatts
Together, the eight roll-out solar arrays increase the station's total power generation capacity from 160 kilowatts to approximately 215 kilowatts, according to NASA. The additional power is designed to support critical station operations, including the station's safe and controlled deorbit.
The November 5 installation of the final array on the 3B channel marked the completion of the IROSA power augmentation upgrades.
Five-Year Upgrade Programme Concluded
Work to augment the ISS's power generation capacity began in February 2021, NASA said. Since then, astronauts have completed a total of 18 spacewalks to prepare power channel equipment and install all eight arrays.
The November 5 spacewalk brought that programme to a close.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of NASA