NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Anil Menon completed a 6.5-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station to install the final set of mounting hardware for new solar arrays, according to agency reports from Aug. 6, 2026. The installation on the 3B power channel marks the completion of modification kits for the station’s upgraded power systems, designed to boost electricity generation by up to 30% as aging legacy hardware exceeds its design life.
Spacewalk Mechanics and Solar Array Upgrades
Working on the far-right starboard segment of the station’s backbone truss, Meir and Menon assembled triangular brackets to house a future ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (iROSA). According to mission updates, Menon used an articulating portable foot restraint atop a worksite interface to stabilize the assembly. Once the modification kit was secured to the mast canister, the crew routed cabling and covered the struts with multi-layer insulation to protect against micrometeoroid strikes.
Did you know?
The station’s eight original arrays have exceeded their 15-year design life, showing gradual power output degradation over time. The new iROSA wings operate in front of the legacy arrays to supplement total energy generation rather than replace it entirely.
Power Channel Expansion and Station Maintenance
With Thursday’s installation on power channel 3B, NASA has deployed six iROSA assemblies since 2021, leaving only two units awaiting delivery later this year. The remaining power channel currently lacking a deployed iROSA is channel 2A, located on the port side of the complex. The station relies on these overlapping systems to maintain operational power levels for ongoing research in low Earth orbit.
Expedition 75 Crew Timeline and Future Spacewalks
Thursday’s extravehicular activity marked the first career spacewalk for Menon and the sixth for Meir, bringing her cumulative EVA time to 42 hours and 33 minutes, per mission logs. The operation represented the 96th U.S. spacewalk and the 281st overall for station assembly and maintenance. Crew members are scheduled for two additional U.S. outings this month: EVA 97 to replace a space-to-ground antenna on Aug. 13, and EVA 98 to connect power cables, data relay systems, and navigational docking aids on Aug. 25.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the iROSA wings on the International Space Station?
The iROSA wings augment the station’s original solar arrays, increasing total electricity generation capacity by 20% to 30% to offset power degradation in the legacy systems.
How many spacewalks have been conducted for ISS assembly and maintenance?
According to NASA records, Thursday’s operation marked the 281st spacewalk overall in support of the space station, including 96 U.S. extravehicular activities.
When are the next spacewalks scheduled for the Expedition 75 crew?
NASA has scheduled two additional spacewalks for August 2026, with EVA 97 planned for Aug. 13 and EVA 98 scheduled for Aug. 25.
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