New ISS solar arrays are deployed

HOUSTON, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- The space shuttle Atlantis crew completed the full deployment of the International Space Station's new set of solar arrays Thursday.

The arrays span a total of 240 feet and have a width of 38 feet, NASA said. They are attached to the station's newest component, the P3/P4 integrated truss structure that the shuttle crew installed Tuesday.

NASA Mission Control in Houston said the deployment occurred in stages to allow the arrays to warm up, which prevents them from sticking while being deployed. The first stage began about 6:27 a.m. EDT.

The astronauts also prepared for a Friday spacewalk to conduct further work on the truss and solar arrays.

Also Friday, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Steve MacLean was to talk with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.