
Indian-origin NASA Astronaut Anil Menon Completes Major Spacewalk to Upgrade ISS
What Happened?
Anil Menon, an Indian-origin astronaut, completed a nearly seven-hour spacewalk to install the final solar array on the International Space Station (ISS), enhancing its power capacity.
Key points
- Anil Menon and Joshua Kutryk completed the spacewalk on November 5, 2026.
- The spacewalk lasted six hours and 59 minutes.
- This was Menon's fifth spacewalk and Kutryk's second.
- The installation of the final solar array increases the ISS's electricity capacity from 160 kilowatts to approximately 215 kilowatts.
- The power upgrade program began in February 2021 and required 18 spacewalks.
Key insights
- The successful installation of the solar arrays could enhance the ISS's capabilities for future research.
- Menon's experience as a flight surgeon may contribute to his effectiveness in space missions.
- The completion of this upgrade may lead to more efficient energy use on the ISS.
Why it matters
This upgrade is crucial for supporting the ISS's scientific experiments and onboard systems.
Entities
Source
India Today