Spacewalkers begin final phase of multi-year space station power system upgrade

Astronauts have entered the final phase of a multi-year effort to upgrade the International Space Station power system. On October 29, 2026, crew members conducted a spacewalk to unfurl and install roll-out solar arrays designed to increase power generation for the orbiting laboratory. According to NASA, this specific mission involved the installation of the 7th of 8 planned arrays. The operation coincided with a significant milestone, as coverage from Space identifies this as the 100th US spacewalk conducted from the ISS. The mission included Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk, who performed his first spacewalk during this event. Detailed coverage of the event comes from several major outlets, including CBS News, which highlights the conclusion of the multi-year power system upgrade, and USA Today, which provided preparatory details on what to expect from the landmark EVA.

Spaceflight Now reports on the specific goal of boosting space station power through these upgraded arrays. Additionally, NASA has provided official updates confirming that astronauts were a go for the Thursday mission and documenting the installation process. CBC and Yahoo News Canada have focused on the personal experience of Joshua Kutryk, noting his transition from an Alberta farm to the vacuum of space. This power upgrade is a critical technical evolution for the ISS, moving toward more efficient roll-out solar technology to sustain station operations. The context of the mission is underscored by the personal reflections of the crew; Joshua Kutryk told CityNews Kitchener that the experience of seeing Earth during his first spacewalk had changed him. This transition to new power arrays represents the culmination of years of planning and execution to ensure the station remains viable for scientific research as it ages and its power requirements evolve over time.

Looking forward, the project is nearing its total completion. Spaceflight Now specifies that NASA is finishing the solar array upgrade with two key spacewalks, one occurring on October 29 and the final one scheduled for November 5. Observers will be watching for the successful installation of the 8th and final array to complete the set. The focus remains on the full deployment of the roll-out systems to ensure the International Space Station reaches its target power generation capacity before the conclusion of the upgrade phase.