NASA astronauts set to install solar arrays outside ISS, watch live today
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The International Space Station (ISS) will soon be equipped with advanced solar arrays to improve its electrical power efficiency.
During a six-and-a-half-hour spacewalk outside the orbital station, two NASA astronauts, Steve Bowen and Woody Hoburg, will complete the installation of the fifth pair of solar arrays.
The spacewalk will commence at 9:15 am. ET on Friday, June 9. You can watch the spacewalk live via the US space agency's webcast on NASA TV, its official website, and YouTube, starting at 7:45 am. ET.
Installation of new pair of solar arrays
The astronauts will install the Space Station Rollout Solar Array (iRosa) during this spacewalk. Reportedly, this roll-out solar array will be outfitted on the 1A power channel of the station.
Today marks the fifth installation of iRosa solar panels on the ISS. The last set of solar arrays will be installed on June 15. It will be mounted on the starboard truss's 1B power channel.
According to NASA, the new solar arrays will boost the ISS's energy production capabilities by 30 percent. This increases the overall power production from 160 to 215 kilowatts. Currently, the astronauts onboard the space station have installed four iRosa panels.
NASA explained: “Each new solar array will produce more than 20 kilowatts of electricity, eventually totaling 120 kilowatts (120,000 watts) of augmented power during orbital daytime. In addition, the remaining uncovered solar array pair and partially uncovered original arrays will continue to generate approximately 95 kilowatts of power for a total of up to 215 kilowatts (215,000 watts) of power available to support station operations at completion. For comparison, an active computer and monitor may use up to 270 watts, and a small refrigerator uses about 725 watts.”
As per NASA, this new set of solar panels will allow ISS operations to continue until 2030.
The original arrays getting old
The new solar panels are meant to replace the space station's previous solar array power system, which is showing signs of degradation.
The original solar arrays were intended to last 15 years. They have, however, remained continually operational since the first pair was installed in December 2000, with further array pairs supplied in September 2006, June 2007, and March 2009.
Meanwhile, astronaut Bowen will embark on this ninth spacewalk. He recently conducted one with United Arab Emirates astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi for the hardware installation of the power systems of ISS.
The solar panels, as well as science and research projects and station supplies, were delivered by SpaceX via the most recent Dragon cargo flight. In total, Dragon delivered 7,000 pounds of supplies to the orbiting station.
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