spacetoday.net: ISS panels unfurled

ISS panels unfurled

Posted: Sat, Mar 21, 2009, 8:20 AM ET (1220 GMT)
STS-119: deployment of solar array (NASA)

The International Space Station is now at full power after astronauts successfully deployed on Friday the station's newest and final pair of solar panels. The twin panels on the S6 truss segment extended normally on Friday, without any sticking or snagging that had caused problems in previous deployments. The truss segment, the last to be added to the station, was launched on Discovery and attached to the station during a spacewalk on Thursday. Another spacewalk, the second of three planned during the STS-119 mission, is scheduled for Saturday, when astronauts Steven Swanson and Joseph Acaba will perform some maintenance work outside the station.