The crew of Expedition 74 is preparing for the first spacewalk of 2026, a mission-critical operation that will advance major power system upgrades aboard the International Space Station while routine science, cargo handling, and maintenance continue across the orbiting laboratory.
Preparing for a landmark spacewalk and station power upgrades
Expedition 74 astronauts are entering a demanding phase of their mission as preparations intensify for the first spacewalk of 2026. The planned extravehicular activity represents an important step in ensuring the long-term operational capability of the International Space Station, particularly as the orbital outpost undergoes gradual modernization of its aging systems. At the center of this effort is the installation groundwork for a new set of roll-out solar arrays, which are designed to enhance power generation and support the station’s expanding scientific and technological needs.
NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman are scheduled to exit the station’s Quest airlock early Thursday morning for a spacewalk expected to last approximately six and a half hours. Their primary task will be to install a modification kit and route cables along the port-side truss structure of the station. This work will prepare the structure to receive a new roll-out solar array that will arrive on a future cargo mission. These arrays are lighter and more efficient than the original solar wings and are intended to supplement existing power systems that have been in service for decades.
Beyond the core installation work, Fincke and Cardman will undertake a series of additional tasks that are essential to maintaining the station’s external integrity. These include installing jumper cables to improve electrical routing, photographing key hardware to document its condition, and swabbing selected external surfaces to collect samples that may contain microorganisms. Such samples help scientists understand how microbes behave and survive in the harsh environment of space, information that has implications for both spacecraft safety and long-duration human exploration.
The complexity of the upcoming spacewalk has required extensive preparation. In the days leading up to the operation, the astronauts have repeatedly reviewed procedures, timelines, and contingency plans with mission controllers on the ground. These reviews ensure that every movement outside the station is carefully choreographed, minimizing risk while maximizing efficiency. The spacewalk will also be previewed by mission managers ahead of time, offering insight into the technical challenges and objectives associated with the operation.
As part of standard safety protocols, Fincke and Cardman have inspected their spacesuits and emergency equipment, including the small jetpacks mounted on their suits. These jetpacks are designed to allow a spacewalker to maneuver back to the station in the unlikely event of becoming untethered. While such scenarios are extremely rare, the checks underscore the rigorous attention to safety that defines all extravehicular activities.
Daily life aboard the station: science, cargo, and international cooperation
While the upcoming spacewalk has drawn significant focus, daily life aboard the International Space Station continues to revolve around a broad mix of scientific research, cargo operations, and routine maintenance. The Expedition 74 crew represents a truly international partnership, with astronauts and cosmonauts from multiple space agencies working together to keep the station running smoothly.
In support of the spacewalk, astronauts Chris Williams of NASA and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency have taken on key supporting roles. They will assist Fincke and Cardman as they don and remove their spacesuits, manage the pressurization and depressurization of the Quest airlock, and monitor spacewalk activities from inside the station. Their responsibilities are critical, as smooth airlock operations and real-time monitoring are essential for the success and safety of any spacewalk.
Scientific research has remained a priority alongside operational tasks. In the Destiny laboratory module, Yui and Williams worked together to install cassettes containing protein crystal samples into the Advanced Sample Experiment Processor-4. This research forms part of the Pharmaceutical In-Space Laboratory initiative, which explores how microgravity can be used to improve the development and manufacturing of medicines. Protein crystals grown in space often exhibit higher quality and more uniform structures than those produced on Earth, offering the potential for better drug design and a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms.
Cargo operations have also been in full swing. With a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft scheduled to depart later in the month, crew members have been carefully transferring equipment, supplies, and research samples into the vehicle for return to Earth. Yui spent time inside the Dragon spacecraft organizing items and ensuring they were properly secured for reentry. Elsewhere, Williams and Cardman worked together inside the Tranquility module packing hardware for storage inside the NanoRacks Bishop airlock, which supports both internal experiments and external payload deployments.
Maintenance tasks continue to be a constant feature of station life. Regular inspections, filter replacements, and cleaning of life support systems are essential to maintaining a safe and habitable environment for the crew. These tasks may appear routine, but they play a crucial role in preventing system failures and extending the operational life of the station.
On the Russian segment of the station, cosmonauts have focused on a combination of health research and system upkeep. Flight Engineer Oleg Platonov participated in a study examining lung function in microgravity by wearing an acoustic monitoring device and performing controlled breathing exercises. The research aims to better understand how weightlessness affects the respiratory system and to develop methods for early detection of potential breathing disorders during long-duration missions.
Platonov later turned his attention to medical logistics, inventorying medical kits to ensure that pharmaceuticals and hardware were current and ready for use if needed. Fellow cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev familiarized themselves with the same lung function research, learning about how acoustic measurements of the trachea can provide insights into respiratory health. Such studies are particularly important as space agencies plan future missions that will keep crews in microgravity for extended periods.
Mikaev also conducted an inventory of hardware inside the Zarya module, carefully documenting the location and condition of equipment. Kud-Sverchkov focused on video hardware inventory before moving on to maintenance work in the Rassvet module, where he replaced filters and cleaned life support components. These efforts ensure that the Russian segment remains fully functional and integrated with the rest of the station.
Together, these activities highlight the multifaceted nature of life aboard the International Space Station. While headline-grabbing events like spacewalks capture public attention, they are supported by countless hours of preparation, collaboration, and routine work carried out by an international crew. As Expedition 74 moves forward with its mission, the upcoming spacewalk stands as a key moment in a broader effort to sustain the station’s capabilities, advance scientific knowledge, and demonstrate the enduring value of international cooperation in space.
