NASA Spacewalkers Successfully Complete Installation of Roll-Out Solar Array – CleanTechnica
In a significant milestone for space exploration, NASA astronauts successfully completed the installation of a roll-out solar array on the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, which took place on June 20, 2021, marked a major step forward in harnessing renewable energy in space and ensuring the sustainability of long-duration missions.
The roll-out solar array, known as the iROSA, was developed by Boeing and is designed to provide a more efficient and compact solution for generating power in space. Unlike traditional solar panels, which are rigid and require extensive manual labor to deploy, the iROSA can be rolled out like a carpet, significantly reducing the time and effort required for installation.
The installation process involved two NASA astronauts, Shane Kimbrough and Thomas Pesquet, who ventured outside the ISS to attach the iROSA to the existing solar array structure. Equipped with specially designed tools and wearing their iconic white spacesuits, the astronauts worked meticulously to ensure a secure and stable connection.
The iROSA measures 60 feet long and 20 feet wide when fully deployed, providing an impressive surface area for capturing sunlight. Its flexible design allows it to be rolled up and stored compactly during launch, minimizing the payload volume required for transportation to the ISS. Once in space, the array can be easily unrolled and extended, ready to generate clean energy for the space station.
The new solar array is expected to increase the ISS’s power generation capacity by 20-30%, providing a significant boost to its overall energy supply. This is crucial for supporting the growing number of scientific experiments, technological advancements, and human activities taking place on board the space station.
Moreover, the iROSA’s enhanced efficiency will help reduce reliance on non-renewable resources such as batteries or fuel cells, which are currently used during periods of low sunlight. By harnessing the abundant solar energy available in space, NASA can ensure a more sustainable and self-sufficient power supply for future missions, including those to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
The successful installation of the iROSA also paves the way for future advancements in space-based solar power. NASA and its partners are actively exploring the potential of large-scale solar arrays that could be deployed in orbit around Earth or even on the Moon. These arrays would capture sunlight continuously, without the interruptions caused by Earth’s atmosphere or the rotation of the planet, providing a constant and reliable source of clean energy.
In addition to its technical achievements, the iROSA project highlights the collaborative nature of space exploration. The roll-out solar array was developed through a partnership between NASA and Boeing, with contributions from various international partners. This cooperation not only fosters innovation but also strengthens global relationships and promotes knowledge sharing in the pursuit of common goals.
As we look towards the future of space exploration, the successful installation of the iROSA serves as a reminder of humanity’s ability to overcome challenges and push the boundaries of what is possible. By harnessing renewable energy sources in space, we can ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for both our planet and our endeavors beyond it.
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