Two Astronauts Take to Space to Install Solar Panels

Two astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) of the American Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) embarked on a challenging task to power the solar energy system needed by the station. Astronauts have embarked on a grueling spacewalk to install new solar panels to power the ISS.

Astronauts Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio are actually performing a mission in space, leaving the station to install the International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array, abbreviated as iROSA. The task in question is expected to take approximately 7 hours.

You can follow the spacewalk of the two astronauts from the link below

The current solar panels powering the ISS are now 20 years old, which means they have already reached the end of their 15-year lifespan. However, the existing panels, although not working as efficiently as before, will not be completely removed from the station and will continue to power the astronauts’ scientific work in space, along with the new solar power system.

iROSA panels can reach 18 meters in length when fully opened, but they still have very small dimensions compared to existing solar energy panels. However, thanks to the developing technology, the new solar energy panels will be able to provide the same amount of energy to the ISS, despite their smaller size.

Astronauts performing the spacewalk will perform some maintenance tasks for the station, as well as the installation of iROSA. By the way, if you are wondering which astronaut is who during the live broadcast; Astronaut Josh Cassada in a red-striped spacesuit and Frank Rubio in a plain white suit.