NASA is gearing up for two exciting spacewalks this January at the International Space Station (ISS). These events are designed to prepare the station for new solar arrays and to perform various upgrades.
On January 6, NASA experts will hold a briefing at 2 p.m. EST at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. You can catch the live coverage on NASA’s YouTube channel.
The team for these missions includes Bill Spetch, operations integration manager; Diana Trujillo, spacewalk flight director; and Heidi Brewer, also a spacewalk flight director.
Mark your calendars for January 8, when astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman will step outside. They will prepare the ISS’s power system for the new Roll-Out Solar Arrays, which will boost the station’s energy supply. This spacewalk is special for Cardman; it will be her first time outside the ISS. For Fincke, it marks his tenth spacewalk, tying him with other NASA astronauts for the record.
Then, on January 15, another spacewalk will take place. Astronauts will replace a high-definition camera and install a navigational aid for visiting spacecraft. They will also relocate an ammonia servicer jumper, critical for the station’s fluid systems.
These two spacewalks will be the 278th and 279th conducted to support the ISS. They also kick off the first spacewalks of 2026 and the first for Expedition 74.
The solar arrays are particularly important. They will provide additional power, ensuring the ISS remains operational and can safely deorbit in the future. The increased capabilities will support ongoing scientific research and experiments conducted in space.
Experts believe the enhancements to the station will lead to more discoveries in fields ranging from biology to materials science. As society pushes for more sustainable solutions on Earth, the research conducted in low-Earth orbit can yield important insights into renewable energy technologies.
For more information on the ISS and its ongoing research, visit NASA’s website.
This awe-inspiring event is a reminder of human ingenuity and our quest for knowledge beyond our planet. Keep an eye out for updates as the dates approach!
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Humans in Space, ISS Research, Johnson Space Center
