Photo credit: www.nasa.gov

NASA Astronauts Prepare for Upcoming Spacewalk to Upgrade ISS

On Thursday, May 1, two astronauts from NASA will undertake a significant spacewalk, designated U.S. spacewalk 93, aimed at enhancing the International Space Station (ISS).

In advance of the spacewalk, NASA will host a news conference on Thursday, April 24, at 2 p.m. EDT. This event will be available on the agency’s website, originating from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Details on how to access this content via various platforms, including social media, will also be provided during the event.

The news conference will feature key personnel, including:

• Bill Spetch: Operations Integration Manager for the ISS Program
• Diana Trujillo: Spacewalk Flight Director at NASA Johnson

Media representatives wishing to join the news conference, either in person or via phone, should contact the Johnson newsroom by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at 281-483-5111 or via email at jsccommu@mail.nasa.gov. For those wanting to pose questions, they must dial in at least 15 minutes prior to the conference. Additionally, inquiries can be submitted through social media using the hashtag #AskNASA.

The anticipated duration of the spacewalk is approximately six and a half hours. Further information, including the specifics of live coverage on NASA+, will be shared when available.

Astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers will be tasked with relocating a communications antenna for the ISS and installing a mounting bracket in preparation for new solar arrays. These new International Space Station Rollout Solar Arrays, or IROSA, are set to enhance the station’s power generation capability by up to 30%. This upgrade will raise the total power output from 160 kilowatts to as high as 215 kilowatts. The installation of the solar arrays will occur during a subsequent spacewalk following their delivery via a SpaceX Dragon resupply mission later this year.

For this mission, McClain will be designated as spacewalk crew member 1 and will don a suit marked with red stripes, while Ayers will be spacewalk crew member 2 in a suit without markings. This spacewalk will mark McClain’s third such endeavor and will be the first for Ayers. Notably, U.S. spacewalk 93 will count as the 275th spacewalk conducted for the assembly, maintenance, and enhancements of the ISS.

For more information regarding research and operations conducted on the International Space Station, please visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/station

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Source
www.nasa.gov