NASA plans the ISS’s final solar-power upgrade during spacewalks 100 and 101
IROSA
A roll-out solar array used to add power at the space station.
spacewalk
Work outside the station while wearing a spacesuit.
deorbit
A planned move that takes a spacecraft out of orbit safely.
What NASA announced
NASA, the U.S. space agency, will preview two upcoming spacewalks at the International Space Station (ISS), a research station where astronauts live and work. NASA’s official announcement says the briefing will begin at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on October 20, 2026. It will come from Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA plans to stream the event online.
The two jobs
On October 29, NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk will leave through the station’s Quest airlock. They will install and deploy the seventh International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array, called IROSA, on the 2A power channel.
On November 5, Menon and Kutryk will install the eighth and final IROSA on the station’s 3B power channel. That work should complete the station’s planned power augmentation.
A spacewalk means working outside the station while wearing a spacesuit. These two activities are maintenance and upgrade work. They are not new experiments announced in the supplied material.
Why the power upgrade matters
NASA says the eight roll-out arrays together can increase available power by up to 30 percent. The station’s electric power generation capacity would rise from 160 kilowatts to about 215 kilowatts. NASA says the added power will support critical station operations. That includes a safe and controlled deorbit.
The numbers show why the final two arrays matter. They complete a larger system, rather than adding two unrelated panels. The upgrade is designed to give the station more power for its operations and to support its planned future needs.
What is confirmed
NASA has confirmed the briefing time, location, online coverage, spacewalk dates, astronauts, and general tasks. The agency also lists Gaurang Patel, an operations integration manager for the Low Earth Orbit Program, and Garrett Hehn, a spacewalk flight director, as briefing participants.
NASA calls the activities U.S. spacewalks 100 and 101. In a separate count, they will be the 285th and 286th spacewalks supporting station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.
What remains unknown
The announcement does not provide every work step or the expected length of each spacewalk. It also does not report results, because both activities are still planned. The stated power figures are targets for the completed system, not measurements from these two future operations.
What to watch next
The October 20 briefing should add operational details. The next major checkpoints are October 29 and November 5. Updates from those days should show whether the seventh and eighth arrays are installed and deployed. Later information can show whether the station reaches the planned power increase. For now, NASA is announcing the final stage of an upgrade, not reporting its completion.
NASA plans two spacewalks to add power
📰 Full story: NASA plans the ISS’s final solar-power upgrade during spacewalks 100 and 101
NASA will explain two spacewalks at the International Space Station. Astronauts will install the final solar arrays. The work should provide more electricity.
spacewalk
Work outside the space station in a spacesuit.
solar array
Panels that turn sunlight into electricity.
💡 The gist
- Two spacewalks are planned at the space station.
- Astronauts will install the seventh and eighth solar arrays.
- Eight arrays should increase power by up to 30 percent.
NASA, the U.S. space agency, announced a power upgrade for the International Space Station. The ISS is a research station where astronauts live and work.
A solar array uses sunlight to make electricity. The station needs electricity for its equipment and operations. NASA plans to finish installing its roll-out solar arrays.
On October 29, NASA astronaut Anil Menon will work outside. Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk will join him. They will install the seventh array. On November 5, they will install the eighth and final array.
A spacewalk means working outside the station in a spacesuit. These spacewalks are planned maintenance jobs. They also complete a larger power upgrade.
Together, eight arrays should raise available power by up to 30 percent. NASA lists the generation capacity rising from 160 kilowatts to about 215 kilowatts. The extra power will support important station operations. NASA also mentions a safe, controlled deorbit.
NASA calls these U.S. spacewalks 100 and 101. They will also be the 285th and 286th spacewalks supporting station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.
NASA will hold a news conference on October 20. It will come from Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA plans to stream it online.
The announcement does not give every work step. It does not give each spacewalk’s length. It also does not show completed results. The work is still planned. Later updates should show whether the astronauts install both arrays successfully.
Astronauts will add sunlight power to a space home
📰 Full story: NASA plans the ISS’s final solar-power upgrade during spacewalks 100 and 101
NASA, the U.S. space agency, plans two jobs outside the space station.
solar array
Large panels that make electricity from sunlight.
spacewalk
Working outside the space station in a special suit.
The International Space Station, or ISS, is a home in space. Astronauts live and work there.
The space home needs electricity. Electricity helps its tools and science machines work.
NASA will add solar arrays. Solar arrays are large panels. They make electricity from sunlight.
Astronauts will wear special suits. They will work outside the station. This is called a spacewalk.
One job is planned for October 29. The next job is planned for November 5.
The first job adds the seventh panel. The second adds the eighth and final panel.
Together, eight panels may increase power by up to 30 percent. NASA calls these spacewalks 100 and 101.
NASA will explain more on October 20. This is a plan, not a finished job.