{
  "id": 14760978,
  "title": "Power Up: Roll Out Solar Arrays Boost Space Station Power Supply",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/power-up-roll-out-solar-arrays-boost-space-station-power-supply-14760978",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-15T17:30:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "NASA Science",
    "slug": "nasa-science",
    "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/iss-research/power-up-roll-out-solar-arrays-boost-space-station-power-supply/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The International Space Station (ISS) is uniquely positioned 250 miles above Earth, relying on the Sun as a crucial source of energy. Solar power supports the station's life support systems, daily activities, and thousands of research investigations that benefit both Earth and deep space exploration. Over the past five years, NASA has enhanced the ISS's power generation and distribution capabilities with next-generation International Space Station Roll Out Solar Arrays (IROSAs). These arrays, which deploy in 2022, were first tested in a technology demonstration aboard the ISS in 2017.\n\nThe IROSAs are designed to be lightweight and compact, launching as a cylinder and unfurling like a yoga mat after installation. This advanced design reduces mass and volume at launch while utilizing an autonomous, self-deploying system that minimizes risks during rollout. Despite their smaller size compared to the station's legacy arrays, the IROSAs can generate approximately 28 kilowatts of additional power. The first two IROSAs were loaded into a SpaceX Dragon's trunk during the company's 22nd commercial resupply services mission to the ISS in 2021.\n\nBetween 2021 and 2023, a total of six IROSAs were installed outside the ISS. In 2023, power projections led to a request for another set of IROSAs, which were delivered inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft during the company's 35th commercial resupply services mission to the ISS. With the addition of these eight IROSAs, the ISS's power generation capacity will increase by more than 160 kilowatts, providing an enhanced boost for research and operations.",
  "summary": "From the International Space Station’s unique position 250 miles above Earth, the Sun is a vital source of energy. Solar power supports the station’s life support systems, daily activities, and hundreds of research investigations that improve life on Earth and prepare humans for deep space exploration. Over the past five years, NASA augmented the station’s […] The post Power Up: Roll Out Solar…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NASA",
        "title": "Power Up: Roll Out Solar Arrays Boost Space Station Power Supply",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/power-up-roll-out-solar-arrays-boost-space-station-power-supply",
        "published": "2026-10-15T17:30:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}