Two new solar arrays from Boeing were installed on the International Space Station (ISS) during three spacewalk missions completed in June 2021. The arrays generate twice the energy than those produced by the original equipment and feature a roll-out structure to enable positioning without motors.

Astronauts Shane Kimbrough of NASA and Thomas Pesquet from the European Space Agency (ESA) maneuvered each of the 61 ft by 20 ft panels to the far end of the ISS truss for installation.

The pair of arrays are just two of the planned six total panels to be installed and will be sited in front of six of the original arrays, increasing total available power on the ISS from 160 kW to a maximum of 215 kW. The same solar array design will be used to power elements of NASA’s Gateway lunar-orbiting outpost.

A time-lapse video of the first spacewalk is shown above; view a video of the second spacewalk here.