High above Earth, two astronauts will begin 2026 by stepping into open space. On January 8, NASA’s Expedition 74 crew will carry out the first spacewalk of the year, marking another important moment in the life of the International Space Station.
The spacewalk, known as an Extravehicular Activity or EVA, is scheduled to begin at 8 am Eastern Time and will last for about six and a half hours. During this time, the astronauts will leave the safety of the station to work on its exterior while orbiting Earth at a speed of more than 28,000 kilometres an hour.
NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman will lead the mission. For Cardman, this will be her first-ever spacewalk, a major milestone in her career. For Fincke, a veteran astronaut, it will be his tenth spacewalk, placing him among NASA’s most experienced spacewalkers. Fincke will wear a spacesuit with red stripes, while Cardman’s suit will have no markings.
Their main task will be to prepare the space station for the installation of new roll-out solar arrays. These upgraded solar panels are designed to increase the station’s power supply and support its long-term operations. The work is essential to keeping the ISS safe and functional as it continues to host astronauts and scientific research.
NASA will broadcast the spacewalk live, allowing viewers around the world to follow every step. Coverage will begin well before the astronauts exit the station, showing suit preparations, safety checks and final briefings. The spacewalk can be watched on NASA+, NASA’s YouTube channel and Amazon Prime Video. In India, the live coverage will begin in the evening.
This mission will be the 278th spacewalk conducted in support of the ISS. Another spacewalk is already planned for January 15, continuing the routine but vital work that keeps humanity’s orbiting laboratory running.
As the new year unfolds on Earth, the quiet work taking place outside the space station leaves us all in amazement, curiosity and pride.
