Astronaut Joshua Kutryk's 2nd Spacewalk

Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk has begun his second spacewalk in two weeks, alongside NASA astronaut Anil Menon, to install the eighth and final solar array on the International Space Station.

Kutryk and Menon stepped into the vacuum of space, with Kutryk emerging first from the space station, wearing a space suit with a red stripe on the legs. This spacewalk marks Kutryk's second in two weeks, following his first on October 29, when he became the fifth Canadian to perform a spacewalk.

On October 29, Kutryk and Menon successfully installed seven of the eight new solar arrays needed to upgrade the station's power capacity. The astronauts are now installing the eighth and final solar array on the starboard side of the truss, which serves as the station's structural backbone.

The mission, which started on October 1, is expected to last six months. Kutryk and his SpaceX Crew-13 crew members took off for the International Space Station, marking the beginning of an extended stay in space.

## Why it matters The installation of the new solar arrays is crucial for upgrading the station's power capacity. Spacewalks, like the one Kutryk and Menon are undertaking, are among the most difficult and dangerous tasks for astronauts but are necessary for repairing or installing equipment and carrying out manual work. Before Kutryk, the last Canadian to perform a spacewalk was David Saint-Jacques in 2019.

The successful installation of the solar arrays will contribute to the overall maintenance and upgrade of the International Space Station, ensuring its continued operation and functionality. With the mission expected to last six months, Kutryk and his crew members will have to adapt to the challenges of living and working in space for an extended period.