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Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk set for his first spacewalks on Oct. 29 and Nov. 5
In brief
Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Colonel Joshua Kutryk, who has been on the International Space Station since October 1, is scheduled to make the first spacewalk of his career on Thursday, October 29, 2026. NASA previewed his two planned spacewalks with NASA astronaut Anil Menon at a briefing on Tuesday, October 20.
Two spacewalks, two solar arrays
On October 29, during what NASA calls U.S. spacewalk 100, Kutryk and Menon are to leave the station through the Quest airlock to install and unroll a new International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA), the seventh of its kind. On November 5, in spacewalk 101, they plan to install the eighth and final array, finishing the station's power upgrade. NASA says the eight roll-out arrays together increase the power available by up to 30%, from 160 kilowatts to about 215 kilowatts, which also supports the station's eventual safe, controlled deorbit.
According to the CSA, Kutryk will become the fifth Canadian astronaut to go outside a spacecraft in orbit. The two outings are planned as the 285th and 286th spacewalks for the assembly, maintenance and upgrade of the station. NASA says it will share live coverage details closer to each date.
VSH take: spacewalks are among the most-watched moments of any mission, and Canadians tend to rally behind their astronauts. You can see where the station is right now with our live ISS tracker, look at today's planet from orbit on Live Earth from space, and use the time zone converter to work out when coverage starts where you live. Students can add this to their science current affairs on our exams hub.
Dates can change for operational reasons; check NASA and CSA for updates. This is our own summary of official releases. ViralScopeHub is not affiliated with the Canadian Space Agency or NASA.
Why it matters
It is a milestone for Canada's astronaut program, and the new arrays complete a major power upgrade for the International Space Station.
People also ask
When is Joshua Kutryk's first spacewalk?
It is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026, with a second spacewalk planned for November 5.
What will Kutryk and Anil Menon do on the spacewalks?
Install and deploy the seventh and eighth International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSA), completing the station's power upgrade.
How much power do the new solar arrays add?
NASA says the eight roll-out arrays increase available power by up to 30%, from 160 kilowatts to about 215 kilowatts.
Related free tools: iss-tracker, Time Zone Converter
Sources
- Canadian Space Agency: NASA to host a technical briefing on CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk's upcoming spacewalks
- NASA: NASA to Host News Conference Previewing US Spacewalks 100, 101
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