NASA Astronauts Complete Installation of Seventh Solar Array on ISS

On October 29, 2026, NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk reached a major milestone for the International Space Station (ISS) by installing the seventh International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA). The spacewalk lasted 7 hours and 11 minutes, finishing at 3:08 p.m. EDT. This installation was carried out on the station's 2A electrical power channel and is expected to bolster the power supply for essential operations, including the eventual safe and controlled deorbit of the station. While outside, the astronauts also prepared for a follow-up spacewalk on November 5, 2026, when they are scheduled to place the eighth and final IROSA on the 3B power channel. This work is part of a broader initiative to upgrade the station's systems, increasing power generation from 160 kilowatts to approximately 215 kilowatts, a boost of up to 30%.

The IROSA project is a central element of the strategy to keep the ISS efficient as it hosts scientific missions in low Earth orbit. These arrays are designed to meet the increasing power demands of the station, particularly as new experiments and technologies are introduced. This latest installation continues a series of upgrades made to the ISS since it first launched, building on decades of progress in space engineering. During their time outside, Menon and Kutryk also finished several get-ahead tasks to assist with the next scheduled spacewalk. This was the fourth spacewalk for Menon and the first for Kutryk. The mission also marked the 285th spacewalk conducted for the assembly and maintenance of the ISS, involving the combined efforts of several international space agencies.

The successful installation of this IROSA will have a direct impact on the capabilities of the ISS. By expanding the power supply, the station is better equipped to manage the needs of modern research and evolving technology. These improvements are necessary for both current daily operations and for the planning of future missions, such as those intended to explore Mars and other celestial bodies. A more robust power grid allows the station to host a broader range of scientific experiments and technologies, which helps to advance the general understanding of space and its potential.

Looking toward the next step, the final installation of the eighth IROSA on November 5 will complete this augmentation of the power system. When these arrays are fully operational, they will provide the energy needed for existing projects while creating opportunities for new experiments and international partnerships in space exploration. The work on this project reflects a steady progression in space technology and the ongoing commitment of NASA and its partners to keeping the ISS functional as a center for scientific discovery.