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Experimental Solar Panel Jettisoned from International Space Station

An experimental solar panel was jettisoned from the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday, June 26.

The panel, known as Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA), can roll open in space and is more compact than current designs, according to NASA.

Despite a successful series of tests on how the shapes, strength and durability of ROSA change when the Earth blocks the sun or when confronted with other physical challenges, attempts to retract the array were unsuccessful. ISS staff decided to jettison the panel and send it into space, as seen in this footage.

“Once jettisoned, ROSA will not present any risk to the International Space Station and will not impact any upcoming visiting vehicle traffic,” NASA’s blog post reads.

ROSA was to be stored in the trunk of SpaceX’s Dragon, which will depart from the ISS in a week’s time. The trunk would be detached and burned up in the atmosphere during the cargo craft’s re-entry into the Earth. Credit: NASA via Storyful