This Week @NASA: Another Power Generating Spacewalk Outside the Space Station

This Week @NASA: Successful Spacewalk Enhances Power Generation Outside the Space Station

NASA astronauts Steve Bowen and Woody Hoburg achieved a major milestone by conducting a successful spacewalk to install a cutting-edge solar array, known as IROSA, on the International Space Station (ISS). This remarkable upgrade will boost the station’s power generation capacity by an impressive 30%. Credit: NASA

Advancements in Power Generation Through a Spacewalk

During the week of June 9, NASA astronauts Steve Bowen and Woody Hoburg embarked on a spacewalk to install an enhanced version of the International Space Station Roll Out Solar Array (IROSA). This installment marked the fifth out of six IROSAs to be installed, aimed at augmenting the station’s power system. The final array is scheduled for installation later this month. Once all six arrays are in place, the station’s power generation capability is expected to increase by over 30%.

Commercial Resupply Mission En Route to the Space Station

A commercial resupply spacecraft is en route to the International Space Station, carrying vital supplies for the station crew. The SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft, which launched on June 5 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, not only delivered the new International Space Station Roll Out Solar Arrays but also transported various scientific investigations, food, supplies, and equipment. This mission marks SpaceX’s 28th commercial resupply services endeavor in collaboration with NASA.

Crew-5 Astronauts Share Post-Flight Experience

NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, engaged in a post-flight event for NASA employees at the agency’s headquarters on June 5. The Crew-5 astronauts shared insights and experiences from their recent mission to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX spacecraft. They also had the opportunity to meet with Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy and Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. The Crew-5 team spent an impressive 157 days in space.

Psyche Mission Progress on Track for October Launch

The forthcoming Psyche mission, set to launch in October 2023, received positive feedback from an independent review board. The board assessed the efforts of NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Caltech in preparing for the mission, aimed at exploring a metal-rich asteroid named Psyche within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Their commendations highlighted the outstanding actions taken by the mission team, as requested, resulting in the successful rescheduling of the spacecraft’s launch from August 2022.

That concludes the notable updates from NASA this week!

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• NASA’s International Space Station: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
• SpaceX Dragon: https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/dragon/
• NASA’s Crewed Missions: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/crewed.html
• Psyche Mission: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/psyche/main/index.html