In an ongoing effort to keep the International Space Station running smoothly and safely, spacewalkers continue to upgrade its power system. The ultimate goal is to safely increase the available power output to meet the needs of the growing number of crew members and experiments aboard the orbiting laboratory.
The space station was designed with a total of eight power channels, each connected to multiple solar array wings. Four solar array wings have been added since the addition of new experiments and additional crew members. During the most recent spacewalk, astronauts reconfigured the space station’s power system to ensure each solar array wing continues to supply enough power to the various experiments and components on board.
What a Spacewalk Entails
A spacewalk, or an extravehicular activity (EVA) as it is called in the space community, is an activity conducted by a astronaut outside a spacecraft or a planet/moon/asteroid. In the case of the International Space Station, a spacewalk is typically conducted in order to perform maintenance or repairs.
Spacewalks generally take place in a vacuum environment, outside the station’s pressurized atmosphere. This means that all the tasks spacewalkers perform must be done in suited up and must be carried out with the utmost care.
Space suits are the extravehicular mobility units, or EMUs, that astronauts wear during a spacewalk. They are designed to protect the astronauts from the harsh environment of space while allowing them to move around outside the station. They are equipped with communication and mobility systems, so the spacewalker can communicate with mission control as well as move around the space station and complete assigned tasks.
Power System of the International Space Station
The power system of the International Space Station is composed of four sets of solar array wings, the Russian segment of the station, the US segment of the station, the radiator panels and four lithium-ion batteries.
Solar Array Wings
The solar array wings of the station are responsible for generating most of the power needed to operate the station. The wings are composed of two types of elements – photovoltaic cells and solar blanketing. The photovoltaic cells convert solar radiation into electricity, while the solar blanketing protects the solar array wings from detrimental temperatures.
The Russian Segment
The Russian segment of the station provides power for various pieces of equipment, including the radiators and the cooling systems. Radiators are used to help disperse the heat from the inside of the station, while the cooling systems help regulate the internal temperature.
The US Segment
The US segment of the station provides power for the various experiments, life support systems, and the other components of the station.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
The lithium-ion batteries store the excess power generated by the solar array wings when the station is in shadows, typically during night time.
Benefits of Upgrading the Station’s Power System
The latest power system upgrade has several advantages that will be beneficial to the astronauts aboard the station.
With the extra power generation capability, the station will be able to power more experiments, potentially leading to further scientific discoveries.
In addition, the station will be able to accommodate a greater number of crew members, allowing the astronauts to make better use of their training and expertise during longer missions.
Finally, the increased power will enable the station to carry out longer spacewalks, allowing the astronauts to perform much more intricate tasks and repairs than before.
The International Space Station’s power system upgrade is a crucial step for the station to function safely and properly. Configuring the station’s power system to ensure each solar array wing can generate enough power for the experiments and components onboard is the main focus of the recent spacewalks, providing a larger power source for future needs.
While spacewalks are always a risky endeavor, this important process of reconfiguring the station’s power system offers greater opportunities for scientific breakthroughs and longer missions. Through the hard work of the astronauts aboard the station, we can look forward to an even brighter future in space exploration.
