Two upcoming spacewalks aim to boost power for the International Space Station

Space · Published 23 October 2026 · Updated 23 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Astronauts are preparing to step into the void to complete a critical energy upgrade. Two scheduled extravehicular activities will focus on installing new solar arrays, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing maintenance and assembly of the orbital laboratory.

NASA has announced a preview of two upcoming spacewalks, scheduled for October 29 and November 5. These missions are designed to finalize the installation of solar arrays, an upgrade intended to provide increased power to the International Space Station. These specific solar array installations are part of a broader, long-term strategy to ensure the station remains a viable platform for scientific research. By expanding the station's energy capacity, NASA aims to sustain more complex experiments in the coming years.

The mission will be a collaborative effort between agencies. NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk are slated to participate in both operations. These missions represent the 285th and 286th spacewalks conducted to support the assembly, maintenance, and various upgrades of the space station. This international partnership highlights the shared responsibility of maintaining the orbital outpost. The upcoming tasks are part of a long lineage of extravehicular activities, following hundreds of previous successful excursions.

The technical oversight for these complex maneuvers involves specialized flight operations. During the recent news conference, NASA representatives including Garrett Hehn, the spacewalk flight director from the Flight Operations Directorate, and Gaurang Patel, the operations integration manager for the Low Earth Orbit Program, provided details on the upcoming orbital work. The management of these high-stakes maneuvers requires precise coordination within the Low Earth Orbit Program. Patel and Hehn oversee the intricate logistics necessary to ensure astronaut safety and mission success during these critical periods of station enhancement.

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