While January often signifies a quiet start for many on Earth, life 400 kilometres above the planet is anything but tranquil. The International Space Station (ISS) continues its relentless orbit, with its future being meticulously shaped by a series of planned operations. Kicking off the new year, NASA has scheduled two critical spacewalks, blending routine upkeep with strategic preparations for the station's longevity.
NASA's January 2026 Spacewalk Schedule and Crew
Before the astronauts venture into the vacuum of space, NASA will host a public briefing from Houston. This session, led by officials from the ISS programme and flight operations, will detail the tasks, associated risks, and the broader purpose behind the excursions. The tone is set to be thoroughly practical, offering a transparent look into the complex choreography of orbital maintenance.
The first extravehicular activity (EVA) is firmly on the calendar for January 8, 2026. NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman will exit the station's Quest airlock. For Cardman, this marks her debut spacewalk, a significant milestone in any astronaut's career. For the veteran Fincke, this will be his tenth, cementing his status among NASA's most experienced spacewalkers.
A second spacewalk is planned for January 15, 2026. NASA has indicated that the crew assignment for this outing will be confirmed closer to the date. These missions are historic in their own right: they will be the 278th and 279th spacewalks conducted in support of the International Space Station assembly and maintenance. They also represent the first spacewalks of 2026 and the inaugural EVAs for the station's Expedition 74 crew.
Critical Tasks: Power Upgrades and Vital Maintenance
The work scheduled is unglamorous yet fundamentally important for the orbiting laboratory's survival. The primary focus of the January 8 spacewalk will be on the station's power grid. Fincke and Cardman will prepare a power channel for the future installation of new roll-out solar arrays. These advanced arrays are crucial for supplementing the station's power as its original solar wings naturally degrade over time.
The second spacewalk on January 15 will be a multi-faceted maintenance run. The planned tasks include:
- Replacing a high-definition camera used for external monitoring.
- Installing a navigation aid to assist visiting cargo and crew spacecraft.
- Relocating components of the station's external cooling system.
Each job, while seemingly minor, is a critical stitch in the fabric that keeps the ISS operational. Furthermore, some of this work contributes to the long-term plan for the station's eventual safe and controlled deorbit.
How to Watch the Briefing and Live Spacewalk Coverage
For space enthusiasts in India and worldwide, NASA will provide live streams of both the preview briefing and the spacewalks themselves. Coverage typically features expert commentary from mission control and stunning live footage from the astronauts' helmet cameras.
You can watch all the action live on NASA's official social media and streaming platforms:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/
- Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa
- X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/nasa
These events underscore a silent truth of space exploration: the grandeur of sustained human presence in orbit rests on the foundation of countless careful, calculated, and routine acts of maintenance, each ensuring the lights stay on in humanity's outpost among the stars.
