Final two roll-out solar arrays to be installed on the International Space Station in spacewalks 100 and 101
17 October 2026
NASA has announced two spacewalks that will complete the power upgrade of the International Space Station.
In spacewalk 100, on 29 October 2026, NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk will exit the Quest airlock to install and deploy the seventh International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array on the 2A electrical power channel.
In spacewalk 101, on 5 November 2026, the same pair will install the eighth and final array on the 3B channel.
With all eight arrays in place, available power rises by up to 30 per cent, taking the station's electric power generation capacity from 160 kilowatts to about 215 kilowatts.
The extra power is intended for critical station operations, including the station's safe and controlled deorbit.
These will be the 285th and 286th spacewalks conducted in support of station assembly, maintenance and upgrades.
NASA will hold a preview news conference at the Johnson Space Center in Houston at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on 20 October 2026.
In plain words
IROSA International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array — A flexible solar array that unrolls from a canister instead of unfolding on rigid panels.
Airlock Airlock — A sealed chamber through which astronauts pass between the pressurised station and space.