NASA Marks 100th Spacewalk with New Solar Array Installation

NASA recently celebrated a significant milestone in space exploration with the completion of the 100th spacewalk from the International Space Station (ISS). On a recent afternoon, astronauts Anil Menon from NASA and Joshua Kutryk from the Canadian Space Agency floated outside the ISS, performing a delicate operation that involved installing a new roll-out solar array. This achievement marks a notable moment in the history of human presence in low-Earth orbit, showcasing the ongoing commitment to maintaining and upgrading the aging space laboratory.

The spacewalk lasted seven hours and eleven minutes, during which Menon and Kutryk worked meticulously to install the new solar array on the port-side truss structure of the ISS. Menon utilized the Canadarm2 robotic arm to transport the rolled-up solar array to its designated location, while Kutryk navigated the exterior of the station, tethered securely to the structure. The installation process culminated in a remarkable moment when the array unfurled automatically after the tension bolts were released, a feat that took approximately ten minutes.

This new solar array is the seventh of its kind to be installed on the ISS, designed to enhance the station's power-generating capabilities as NASA prepares for the eventual decommissioning of the ISS. While such maintenance tasks may not garner the same headlines as dramatic repairs or rescues, they are crucial for the continued operation of the space station, which has been in service for over twenty-five years. The work performed during these spacewalks is essential to ensure that the ISS remains functional and capable of supporting scientific research and international collaboration.

Menon took to social media platform X to commemorate the occasion, sharing a lighthearted message that reflected the unique experience of spending hours in the vacuum of space. "Can confirm. It's always sunny in space," he tweeted. "Yesterday, we completed USOS EVA 100 and installed a new solar array on space station. Over 25 years operating in the harshest environment and using the sun's energy to do it!" His words not only celebrate the milestone but also highlight the remarkable achievement of maintaining a continuous human presence in space for a quarter of a century.

The visual aspects of the spacewalk were equally captivating. Images captured during the excursion show Menon in various positions, including one where he appears to be hanging upside down, a perspective that underscores the unique physics of weightlessness. Additionally, a popular

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