NASA sent astronauts into space to install two 340 kg solar panels

On the eve of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) canceled the exit of astronauts into open space. But after reducing the risk of the International Space Station (ISS) colliding with a Russian rocket wreckage, experts still began their missions.

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On Dec. 20 at 3:42 p.m. (EET), the ISS dodged a fragment of the Fregat-SB upper stage that passed less than 400 meters from the station. A day later, Frank Rubio and Josh Cassada went into space to install two solar panels.

The astronauts left the station Dec. 22 at 3:19 p.m. (EET). They will spend seven hours installing two solar panels, each weighing 340 kg. This will increase the station's capacity from 160 kW to 215 kW. The space agency is broadcasting this live.

Now the ISS is equipped with two solar panels, and in total NASA plans to install six panels. They are delivered to the station spacecraft Dragon company SpaceX.

Source: NASA