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Spacewalkers Successfully Install Final Roll-Out Solar Array on International Space Station

Spacewalkers Successfully Install Final Roll-Out Solar Array on International Space Station

NASA astronaut Anil Menon and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Joshua Kutryk successfully completed a spacewalk to install the eighth and final International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA). The spacewalk, which lasted six hours and 59 minutes, saw the astronauts deploy the new array on the 3B channel of the space station's starboard truss structure. This installation marks the completion of the power augmentation upgrades for the orbital outpost, a project that began in February 2021. Over the course of 18 spacewalks, astronauts have prepared power channel equipment and installed all eight IROSAs. These new arrays significantly increase the station's power generation capacity from 160 kilowatts to approximately 215 kilowatts, enhancing its operational capabilities. This spacewalk was Menon's fifth and Kutryk's second, and it was the 286th spacewalk in support of space station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.

Astronauts Complete Installation of Final Solar Array on International Space Station

Astronauts Complete Installation of Final Solar Array on International Space Station

NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk successfully installed the eighth and final International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) during a seven-hour spacewalk. This mission marked the 101st U.S. spacewalk. The installation concludes a power-generation upgrade that commenced in 2021 and involved 18 spacewalks. These new compact deployable solar arrays are designed to supplement the ISS's original power system, addressing the increasing electrical demands from scientific experiments, life-support systems, and other onboard technology. The upgrade boosts the ISS's power-generation capacity from 160 kilowatts to 215 kilowatts. The spacewalk on November 5, 2026, followed an earlier spacewalk on October 29, 2026, where Kutryk and Menon also worked on installing a new roll-out solar array and performed preparatory tasks for the subsequent spacewalk.

NASA Astronaut Anil Menon Completes ISS Solar Array Upgrade Spacewalk

NASA Astronaut Anil Menon Completes ISS Solar Array Upgrade Spacewalk

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon, alongside Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk, successfully completed a nearly seven-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) on November 5, 2026 (US time). This operation, designated US Spacewalk 101, marked Menon's fifth spacewalk and Kutryk's second. Their primary objective was to install and unfurl the eighth and final International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA). These innovative arrays are designed to deploy in space to capture sunlight and generate electricity for the orbiting laboratory. The completion of this spacewalk signifies the culmination of a power-upgrade program that commenced in February 2021, involving a total of 18 spacewalks to prepare the station and install the new arrays. The operation concluded at 2:05 am IST on November 6, according to NASA.

NASA's 101st ISS spacewalk aims to boost station power by 30%

NASA's 101st ISS spacewalk aims to boost station power by 30%

Two astronauts who just embarked on a spacewalk a week ago are due to once again exit the International Space Station. How to watch NASA's coverage.

University of Illinois Chicago Research Advances Intelligent Welding Technology for Deep-Space Exploration

University of Illinois Chicago Research Advances Intelligent Welding Technology for Deep-Space Exploration

Assistant Professor Azadeh Haghighi at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is leading research to develop intelligent welding technology crucial for NASA's long-term exploration goals, particularly for Moon and Mars missions. This research, supported by NASA through the 'Weld-ASSIST' project, focuses on enabling in-space manufacturing and assembly, which will reduce logistical burdens and reliance on Earth-based supplies. Haghighi's team is addressing three key challenges in space welding: low temperatures, extreme vacuum, and microgravity. Low temperatures degrade weldability of high-thermal-conductivity materials, extreme vacuum alters keyhole geometry and chemical composition, and microgravity prevents gas bubbles from escaping, leading to weld defects. The project utilizes multi-scale multi-physics models integrated with physics-informed machine learning to create the first-ever digital twin platform for evaluating welding processes under extreme space conditions.

NASA Accelerates Artemis Program with New Lunar Lander and Spacesuit Plans

NASA Accelerates Artemis Program with New Lunar Lander and Spacesuit Plans

NASA announced accelerated plans for its Artemis program, aiming to return Americans to the lunar surface by 2028. This includes advancing the Artemis III test flight to 2027 and the Artemis IV Moon landing mission to 2028. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman highlighted significant progress in collaboration with industry partners to test critical capabilities and reduce risks. For Artemis III, four astronauts will fly aboard the Orion spacecraft, launched by NASA’s SLS rocket, for a 14-day Earth orbit mission to test rendezvous, docking, and operations with lunar lander test vehicles from SpaceX and Blue Origin. NASA also revealed plans with Axiom Space to develop a lighter 'Sortie suit' for initial moonwalks, which is roughly half the weight of Axiom’s primary suit and designed to expedite early surface missions.

NASA CHAPEA Crew Completes 378-Day Simulated Mars Mission

NASA CHAPEA Crew Completes 378-Day Simulated Mars Mission

A four-person NASA CHAPEA (Crew Health And Performance Analog Exploration) crew has successfully completed a 378-day simulated mission to Mars, returning to 'Earth' on Halloween. The crew, consisting of James Spicer, Matthew Montgomery, Ellen Ellis, and Ross Elder, lived in a 1,700-square-foot 3D-printed habitat designed to replicate the conditions of a Mars mission. During their year-long stay, they conducted spacewalks, grew crops, tested systems, managed limited resources, and experienced communication delays, all while performing extravehicular activities. This mission is part of a series of analog missions aimed at gathering crucial data to inform future planning for actual human missions to the Moon and Mars. The results will help NASA assess the risks associated with planned exploration food systems, crew health and performance, and resource management for long-duration space travel.

Artemis II moon launch was so powerful it punched a hole in atmosphere

Artemis II moon launch was so powerful it punched a hole in atmosphere

A study suggests the launch of NASA's Space Launch System rocket was so strong, it tore a hole in Earth's atmosphere during the Artemis II mission.

NASA Astronauts to Engage Florida Students from International Space Station

NASA Astronauts to Engage Florida Students from International Space Station

NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney will answer STEM questions from Florida students while aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This Earth-to-space call is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, at 10:40 a.m. EST and will be streamed live on NASA’s Learn With NASA YouTube channel. The event is hosted by Freedom Crossing Academy in St. Johns, Florida, and is open to K-12 students and the wider community. The initiative aims to foster a deeper understanding of space exploration and raise awareness about careers in STEM fields. For over 26 years, the ISS has continuously hosted humans, facilitating scientific advancements and research that are not feasible on Earth. The space station plays a crucial role in helping NASA comprehend and overcome the complexities of human spaceflight, broaden commercial prospects in low Earth orbit, and establish a foundation for extended missions to the Moon under the Artemis program, and eventually to Mars.

UIC Researcher Develops Intelligent Welding Technology for Deep-Space Exploration

UIC Researcher Develops Intelligent Welding Technology for Deep-Space Exploration

Azadeh Haghighi, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, is leading a NASA-supported project to develop intelligent welding technology for deep-space exploration. This research, part of the 'Weld-ASSIST' project, aims to enable in-space manufacturing and assembly for future Moon and Mars missions. The technology addresses critical challenges posed by extreme space conditions, including low temperatures, extreme vacuum, and microgravity. These conditions can degrade weldability, alter chemical composition, and lead to defects like porosity. Haghighi's team is developing a digital twin platform that integrates multiscale, multiphysics models with physics-informed machine learning and uncertainty quantification techniques to evaluate welding processes under these harsh environments. The goal is to minimize trial-and-error, ensure high-quality welds, and reduce the costs and time associated with space missions by enabling on-site r...

NASA's Inspiration Tour Highlights Student Contributions to Space Exploration

NASA's Inspiration Tour Highlights Student Contributions to Space Exploration

NASA's Inspiration Tour has been traveling across the United States, connecting the public, industry, and academia with the people and technologies driving American leadership in space. A key component of this tour is the involvement of NASA Space Grant students, who are showcasing their research and innovations. At various university stops, including Iowa State University, the University of Arizona, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the University of North Dakota, students have presented projects ranging from satellite imagery analysis and geomagnetic conditions to in-situ resource utilization and advanced spacesuit designs. These student-led initiatives are directly contributing to NASA's long-term exploration goals, particularly the Artemis initiatives focused on returning to the Moon and eventually establishing a presence on Mars. The tour aims to inspire the next generation of innovators and explorers, emphasizing the agency's commitment to preparing a future aerospace workforce.

Uncertainty Persists Over SpaceX Starship Launch Count for NASA Moon Missions

Uncertainty Persists Over SpaceX Starship Launch Count for NASA Moon Missions

The exact number of SpaceX Starship launches required to land American astronauts on the Moon for NASA's Artemis program remains unconfirmed by official sources. While NASA has selected SpaceX to develop the Starship Human Landing System (HLS) and its architecture relies on orbital refueling, neither NASA nor SpaceX has published a definitive launch count. The plan involves tanker Starships supplying an orbital propellant storage Starship, which then refuels the human-rated Starship HLS before it proceeds to lunar orbit. This complex refueling process is central to the mission's feasibility, as a single Starship launch cannot carry enough fuel for a full lunar mission. Media analyses from Space.com, Texas Standard, and Shattered.io highlight that key program parameters, including the launch count and the simplicity of the refueling plan, are still publicly uncertain. The widely cited '6-8' launch figure is attributed to Elon Musk in secondary reporting but is not an official NASA or SpaceX requirement.