In a bid to get the International Space Station functioning on full power, two visiting space shuttle astronauts have begun installing a final set of solar panel wings.

During the first of three planned space walks, the two scientists left Discovery and floated outside the orbital out post to connect a metal girder onto the station’s exterior spine. The 14,000 kilo segment, built by Boeing for NASA, contains a pair of panels studded with solar cells to collect light from the sun. By the end of Discovery’s eight-day visit, the station should be able to generate 124 kilowatts of usable electricity. The plan is to use the extra power to double the station’s crew of three in order to conduct more science experiments.More about: ISS

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