NASA spacewalker Josh Cassada flights the Canadarm2 robotic arm bring the roll-out solar array to its installation website on the Starboard-4 truss section. Credit: NASA TV
NASA astronauts Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio concluded their spacewalk at 2:21 p.m. EST after 7 hours and 5 minutes. The set of Expedition 68 Flight Engineers finished their major objectives.
Cassada and Rubio set up an International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (iROSA) to enhance power generation for the 3A power channel on the stations starboard truss structure. They also disconnected a cable television to ensure the 1B channel can be reactivated after it was closed down due to a power journey in its electrical system. The disconnection of the cable will isolate the afflicted portion of the variety and restore the channel to 75% of its regular operating capacity.
In addition, the duo likewise finished an additional job to release numerous bolts for the upcoming iROSA installation on the 4A power channel on the port truss.
NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio is pictured throughout a spacewalk tethered to the International Space Stations starboard truss structure. Behind Rubio, the last rays of an orbital sunset permeate Earths thin environment as the space station flew 258 miles above the African nation of Algeria. Credit: NASA
During the spacewalk, Cassada was designated extravehicular team member 1 (EV1) and wore a match with red stripes. Rubio was designated extravehicular crewmember 2 (EV 2) and remained in an unmarked fit.
It was the 256th spacewalk in support of spaceport station assembly, upgrades, and upkeep, and was the second spacewalk for both astronauts. Cassada and Rubio are in the middle of a planned six-month science objective living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance clinical knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic expedition objectives, consisting of lunar objectives through NASAs Artemis program.
NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Josh Cassada is pictured dressed in his Extravehicular Mobility Unity (EMU), or spacesuit, during a seven-hour and 11-minute spacewalk to ready the International Space Stations starboard truss structure for future rollout solar range setup work. Credit: Frank Rubio/NASA
The next U.S. spacewalk is arranged for Monday, December 19, to install an iROSA on the 4A power channel on the port truss. This will be the fourth iROSAs out of an overall six prepared for setup. The iROSAs will increase power generation ability by approximately 30%, increasing the stations total readily available power from 160 kilowatts to as much as 215 kilowatts.
Cassada and Rubio set up an International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (iROSA) to augment power generation for the 3A power channel on the stations starboard truss structure. NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio is pictured throughout a spacewalk connected to the International Space Stations starboard truss structure. Credit: NASA