NASA's Anil Menon and CSA's Joshua Kutryk Complete 100th US Spacewalk, Deploy New ISS Solar Array

NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk successfully deployed a new solar array outside the International Space Station on Thursday, October 29, marking the 100th spacewalk by U.S. crew members. The seven-hour extravehicular activity (EVA) was a key step in upgrading the station's power system, as the new ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (iROSA) will augment the existing arrays and boost the orbiting laboratory's energy generation. Menon and Kutryk worked meticulously to install and unfurl the array, which is part of a series of upgrades designed to counteract the gradual degradation of the original solar panels that have powered the ISS for over two decades. The milestone spacewalk underscores the continued international collaboration and technical expertise required to maintain and enhance the station's capabilities. With this successful deployment, the ISS is better positioned to support advanced research and commercial activities in low Earth orbit, ensuring the outpost remains a hub for innovation well into the future.