High above Earth, astronauts aboard the International Space Station are entering a critical phase of operations.
Expedition 74 is completing final preparations for the first spacewalk of 2026, scheduled for Thursday. Two astronauts will exit the International Space Station to carry out power upgrade work, while scientific research continues across multiple disciplines.
Station Commander Mike Fincke and Flight Engineer Zena Cardman are set to begin the spacewalk at 8 a.m. EST. The planned duration is 6.5 hours. Their main task includes installing a modification kit and routing cables for a future roll-out solar array. Secondary tasks involve installing jumper cables, photographing hardware, and collecting microorganism samples. Live coverage will begin at 6:30 a.m. on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and the agency’s YouTube channel.
On Wednesday, the astronauts organised tools inside the Quest airlock and completed configuration of their spacesuits, life support, and emergency systems. They were later joined by Flight Engineers Chris Williams of NASA and Kimiya Yui of JAXA for a final procedures review and readiness briefing with mission controllers.
Williams and Yui will assist with suit operations, airlock pressurisation, and monitoring during the spacewalk. Before preparations concluded, Williams conducted physics research in the Destiny module, while Yui worked on microbiology experiments in the Kibo module.
In parallel, Roscosmos Flight Engineers Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Oleg Platonov tested artificial intelligence tools for transcribing crew activity audio logs. Sergei Mikaev completed an Earth observation session, capturing images from Australia to South America. The crew will continue research, maintenance, and overnight Earth imaging during Thursday’s spacewalk.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.
