ISS S3/S4 Solar Array Deployment

The International Space Station spread its new set of wings on 12th June 2007. The solar arrays on the newly installed Starboard 3 and 4 (S3/S4) truss segment deployed to their full length with the assistance of the STS-117 crew. The S3/S4 was installed onto the station before the start of STS-117’s first spacewalk, during which STS-117 astronauts began activating the truss. The arrays will increase the station’s ability to generate power when they go online. The deployment activities occurred in steps, beginning about 11:43 a.m. EDT. The forward-facing array on the S3/S4 was first deployed to its length of 115 feet. The procedure was repeated for the rear-facing array which was fully deployed about 1:58 p.m. (X4 Speed)