Spacewalk to Continue Installing New Solar Arrays

TL;DR

Astronauts Thomas Pesquet and Shane Kimbrough successfully installed the second of six new ISS rollout solar arrays, which will augment the power capability of the International Space Station (ISS) and support future space exploration.

Transcript

fold and unfurl the second of two iss rollout solar arrays solar arrays that are being installed on the international space station to provide a total of 120 additional kilowatts of power to augment the electrical capability of the international outpost you are looking live inside the quest airlock one month shy of its 20th anniversary of use on th... Read More

Key Insights

• ✊ The new ISS rollout solar arrays will provide an additional 120 kilowatts of power to support future missions and scientific experiments.
• 😒 The arrays use high strain one-piece carbon fiber composite material and are designed to augment, not replace, the existing solar arrays on the ISS.
• 😘 The successful installation of the rollout solar arrays demonstrates the ongoing efforts to enhance the power capability of the ISS for future space exploration.

Questions & Answers

Q: How will the new ISS rollout solar arrays augment the ISS's power capability?

The new arrays provide an additional 120 kilowatts of power to support the growing demands of the ISS, including future science experiments, space exploration, and the Gateway program.

Q: How many spacewalks have Pesquet and Kimbrough conducted together?

Pesquet and Kimbrough have conducted five spacewalks together, including the recent series to install the new ISS rollout solar arrays.

Q: What is the purpose of the ISS rollout solar arrays?

The arrays are designed to enhance the ISS's power capacity, allowing for the delivery of science payloads, new modules, and supporting future space exploration, such as the Gateway lunar outpost.

Q: How are the astronauts ensuring their safety during the spacewalk?

The astronauts have been pre-breathing oxygen to cleanse their bloodstreams and are equipped with jet-powered backpacks called Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) units. These units allow the astronauts to propel themselves back to the ISS if they become untethered during the spacewalk.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Astronauts Pesquet and Kimbrough completed their fifth spacewalk together to install the second ISS rollout solar array on the International Space Station.

• The new solar arrays, made from high strain one-piece carbon fiber composite material, will provide an additional 120 kilowatts of power to the ISS.

• These solar arrays are not meant to replace the existing ones, but rather to enhance the station's power capacity for future missions and scientific payloads.