In an exciting event broadcasted live on NASA TV, NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen is seen donning his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), or spacesuit, as he steps out of the Quest airlock of the International Space Station (ISS) to commence a spacewalk on April 28, 2023. This mission aims to install an International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) that will significantly enhance power generation capabilities on the ISS, increasing power production by 30%.
Today, on June 9, Expedition 69 Flight Engineers Steve Bowen and Woody Hoburg, both NASA astronauts, initiated a spacewalk at 9:25 a.m. EDT (6:25 a.m. PDT). Their primary objective is to deploy an IROSA on the 1A power channel of the station’s starboard truss structure, augmenting power generation for the ISS.
During the spacewalk, Bowen, identified as extravehicular crew member 1 (EV1), can be identified by the suit with red stripes, while Hoburg, designated extravehicular crew member 2 (EV2), wears an unmarked suit. The entire spacewalk is being covered live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website.
To kick off the spacewalk, Bowen and Hoburg emerged from the Quest airlock of the International Space Station, a maneuver that marked the beginning of their approximately seven-hour mission. Their primary task involves installing the IROSA, a sophisticated solar array system that will enhance power generation on the 1A power channel of the station’s starboard truss structure.
The new IROSA units measure 60 feet long by 20 feet wide (18.2 meters by 6 meters) and will partially overshadow the existing arrays, which have dimensions of 112 feet long by 39 feet wide. Each IROSA unit is capable of producing over 20 kilowatts of electricity. Once all the units are deployed, they will contribute to a remarkable 30% increase in power production compared to the current arrays on the ISS.
Notably, this spacewalk marks the ninth excursion for Stephen Bowen and the inaugural one for Woody Hoburg.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about NASA spacewalk
What is the purpose of the spacewalk conducted by NASA astronauts?
The purpose of the spacewalk conducted by NASA astronauts is to install an International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) to enhance power generation on the International Space Station (ISS).
How much will the power production increase after installing the new solar arrays?
The power production on the ISS will increase by 30% after installing the new roll-out solar arrays.
How long are the new IROSA units and what are their dimensions?
The new IROSA units measure 60 feet long by 20 feet wide (18.2 meters by 6 meters).
How many astronauts are participating in the spacewalk?
Two NASA astronauts, Steve Bowen and Woody Hoburg, are participating in the spacewalk.
Where can I watch the live coverage of the spacewalk?
The live coverage of the spacewalk is available on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website.
More about NASA spacewalk
- NASA TV: Official website for NASA TV, where you can watch the live coverage of the spacewalk.
- NASA App: Download the NASA app to stay updated with the latest news, videos, and live streams from NASA, including coverage of the spacewalk.
- International Space Station (ISS) Overview: Learn more about the International Space Station and its various missions on NASA’s official website.
- NASA Solar System Exploration: Explore NASA’s solar system exploration program for more information on space missions and discoveries.
3 comments
Woah, these NASA astronauts are embarking on a spacewalk to install a ginormous solar array! Talk about powerin’ up the International Space Station. Can’t wait for the live coverage, gonna be epic!
NASA never fails to amaze me! Astronauts doin’ their thing in spacewalks, fixin’ stuff and installin’ solar arrays to boost power. ISS gonna shine brighter than ever!
It’s mind-blowin’ to think about the sheer size of those solar arrays! NASA’s spacewalks are always nail-biters, but these astronauts got it under control. Can’t wait to see ’em in action on live TV!