NASA astronaut Nicole Mann and Koichi Wakata of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) conducted a successful spacewalk at 2:26 pm EST that lasted for six hours and 41 minutes, according to the space agency's blog post on Wednesday, Feb. 2.
IN SPACE - DECEMBER 21: In this handout photo provided by NASA, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly is seen floating during a spacewalk on December 21, 2015 in space.
Setting Up Cables for iRosas
The two astronauts completed their task of building the mounting platform on the 1A power channel, which had already started during a spacewalk on Jan. 20.
Mann and Wakata also set up the cables for installing the next pair of International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (iRosas). According to NASA, these solar arrays feature a compact design and autonomous capabilities that can advance scientific and commercial missions, whether on low-Earth orbit to interplanetary travel.
The roll-out solar arrays are crucial in providing another power source to the International Space Station that houses several scientific research. It also powers deep-space missions such as the Gateway's Power and Propulsion Element and the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART).
The ROSA tech was provided by Redwire Space but was originally created by Deployable Space Systems (DDS) with assistance from NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD).
Since 2009, STMD has been sponsoring a portion of DSS's journey from the conception of ROSA through its development, which ultimately led to successful technological demos, operational mission use, and other advanced future applications.
In 2021, Redwire bought DSS, extending ROSA's integration into both NASA and commercial missions.
Relocating an Articulating Portable
Mann and Wakata also had to relocate an articulating portable foot restraint from the P6 truss for operations that would entail spacewalk tasks in the future.
A series of spacewalks were conducted in order to install new iROSAs to upgrade the station's power channels.
Two more arrays will be added to the existing platforms during the next spacewalks after their arrival later this year on SpaceX's 28th commercial resupply services mission for NASA. Four roll-out solar arrays have been deployed in the space station to date.
Thursday's milestone for NASA also marks the 259th spacewalk to aid the space station's maintenance, assembly, and upgrades. It is the second spacewalk conducted in 2023 and the second for Mann and Wakata as well.
Mann served as extravehicular crew member 1, donning a suit with red stripes (a nod to the US flag). Meanwhile, Wakata served as extravehicular crew member 2, wearing an unmarked suit.
The two astronauts are currently engaged in a six-month science mission to test novel technologies and improve scientific understanding for human and robotic space missions, such as the space agency's Artemis missions.
Related Article: NASA Will Land On The Moon For The First Time in 50 Years l Here's Everything You Need To Know About Artemis 1
