Key Findings
The installation of eight International Space Station Roll Out Solar Arrays (IROSAs) has increased the power available for research and operations on the International Space Station by more than 160kW. These next-generation arrays augment the station’s existing power generation and distribution capabilities to support life support systems and hundreds of research investigations.
Technical Details
Designed, manufactured, and tested by Redwire under a contract with Boeing, the IROSAs feature a lightweight, compact design. Key technical specifications include:
- Deployment Mechanism: The arrays launch as a cylinder and unfurl like a yoga mat using an autonomous, self-deploying system to minimize rollout risks.
- Physical Footprint: Each array is approximately half the size of the station’s legacy arrays, reducing mass and volume during launch.
- Power Output: Despite their smaller size, the arrays are capable of producing approximately 28 kilowatts of additional power each.
Background and Context
The deployment followed a technology demonstration conducted aboard the space station in 2017 to test effectiveness. Between 2021 and 2023, six IROSAs were installed. Due to power projections in 2023, a request was made for an additional set of arrays. These final units were launched in the trunk of a Dragon spacecraft during the SpaceX 35th commercial resupply services mission to the station for NASA.
Significance and Outlook
The revitalized power system serves as a critical testbed for technologies required for expeditions beyond Earth’s orbit. By supporting planetary defense demonstrations, such as the Double Asteroid Redirection Test, and future human exploration efforts, the IROSA upgrade extends the agency’s reach into the solar system and advances technology for deep space exploration.
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