NASA implemented next-generation International Space Station Roll Out Solar Arrays (IROSAs) to augment the station’s solar power collection. These arrays launch compactly rolled and deploy autonomously in orbit, reducing mass and risk compared to previous designs. Despite being about half the size of legacy arrays, each IROSA generates approximately 28 kilowatts of additional power.
Between 2021 and 2023, six IROSAs were installed on the ISS exterior, with two more launched subsequently to boost capacity further. Manufactured by Redwire under contract with Boeing, the eight arrays collectively raise the ISS’s power generation by over 160 kilowatts, supporting research and operations aboard the station.
Source & further reading
Power Up: Roll Out Solar Arrays Boost Space Station Power Supply ↗Source published 2026-10-15. This report was prepared with AI assistance from the linked primary-source material. Claims and limitations should be checked against the original announcement or research.