International Space Station Solar Panels

The international space station also uses solar arrays to power everything on the station.

International space station solar panels.

Station solar arrays and radiator panels image courtesy of a nasa expedition 38 crew member on january 2 2014 a pinpoint beam of sunlight peeks through a truss based radiator panel and a primary solar array panel on the iss in figure 1. An iss solar panel intersecting earth s horizon. The international space station is truly a wonder of technology and engineering. The international space station or iss is the largest human made orbital satellite in history with components manufactured and maintained by u s russian japanese and european space agencies.

Clouds can be seen over the earth blanketed by the cold blackness of space in the background. The electrical system of the international space station is a critical resource for the international space station iss because it allows the crew to live comfortably to safely operate the station and to perform scientific experiments. The international space station has four solar arrays which produce more power than the station needs at one time for station systems and experiments. In space though panels degrade much more quickly because they re constantly exposed to sunlight and can be damaged by debris and solar flares.

Today the international space station relies on one of the most advanced solar arrays ever built to support life and to power research that will take humans to new heights. 240 kilowatts of electricity can be generated from these solar arrays. The international space station and solar power. June 10 2007 space shuttle atlantis docks with the iss to install a new segment and solar panel on the space station and retrieve astronaut williams who has been at the space station since.

In april of 2015 a research agreement between northrop grumman and caltech provided up to 17 5m for the development of innovations necessary to enable a space solar power system. Orbiting 220 miles above earth at an average speed of 17000 miles per hour the space station has been continuously manned since november of 2000. That means the older panels are about 2 3 cooked. There are four sets of solar arrays that power the station and the fourth set of arrays were installed in march 2009.