Astronauts Complete Final ISS iROSA Solar Array Spacewalk

Anil Menon and Joshua Kutryk installed and deployed the International Space Station’s eighth and final iROSA during a spacewalk lasting 6 hours and 59 minutes on November 5, 2026. The array was attached to the station’s 3B power channel on the starboard side of the backbone truss.

Key details

• The array unfurled to approximately 63 feet (19 meters) after the astronauts released two bolts; stored energy in its composite booms powered the deployment, which took about 10 minutes.
• The iROSA upgrade consists of eight arrays delivered to the station by SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft. Deployment work began in June 2021.
• The eight arrays can provide up to 30% more electricity than the station’s legacy solar arrays.
• The original arrays had a stated design life of 15 years. The iROSAs are intended to support station operations through its planned retirement and controlled deorbit in late 2030.

The final iROSA unfurled to approximately 63 feet (19 meters) in about 10 minutes.

Why it matters

The iROSAs add electricity-generation capacity as the station’s original solar arrays pass their stated design life. Completing the final installation finishes the station’s planned eight-array upgrade.