An ISS solar panel intersecting Earth 's horizon. The electrical system of the International Space Station is a critical part of the International Space Station (ISS) as it allows the operation of essential life-support systems, safe operation of the station, operation of science equipment, as well as improving crew comfort.
As expected, the efficiency of the station’s original solar arrays has degraded over time. NASA is upgrading the space station’s power system with the new roll-out solar arrays — at a cost of $103 million — which will partially cover six of the station’s eight original solar panels.
The International Space Station has eight power channels, each fed with electrical power generated from one solar array wing extending from the station’s truss backbone. The new solar array deployed Saturday will produce electricity for the space station’s 3A power channel.
Astronaut Scott Parazynski of STS-120 conducted a 7-hour, 19-minute spacewalk to repair (essentially sew) a damaged solar panel which helps supply power to the International Space Station. NASA considered the spacewalk dangerous with potential risk of electrical shock.
And what becomes of the research? Sometime in 2030, astronauts will pack up their belongings, turn out the lights, and depart the International Space Station (ISS) for the last time.
Thus will end the ISS, an icon of the space age that will have served humanity for more than three decades.
Overview2007 – Torn solar panel2003 – Waste accumulation after the Columbia disaster2004 – Air leak and Elektron oxygen generator failure2005 – Elektron oxygen generator fails again2006 – Venting of gas2007 – Computer failure2007 – Damaged starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint
On 30 October 2007, during Expedition 16 and flight day 7 of STS-120''s visit to ISS, following the repositioning of the P6 truss segment, ISS and Space Shuttle Discovery crew members began the deployment of the two solar arrays on the truss. The first array deployed without incident, and the second array deployed about 80% before astronauts noticed a 76-centimetre (2.5 ft) tear. The arrays …
OverviewStation to shuttle power transfer systemSolar array wingBatteriesPower management and distributionExternal links
From 2007 the Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System (SSPTS; pronounced spits) allowed a docked Space Shuttle to make use of power provided by the International Space Station''s solar arrays. Use of this system reduced usage of a shuttle''s on-board power-generating fuel cells, allowing it to stay docked to the space station for an additional four days. SSPTS was a shuttle upgrade that replaced the Assembly Power Converter Unit (APCU) with a …