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NASA to kick off 2026 with key work at the ISS … and you can watch

The first NASA spacewalks in eight months are taking place soon.

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A NASA spacewalk.
NASA / NASA

NASA is making final preparations for two spacewalks at the International Space Station (ISS).

It’s been eight long months since the U.S. space agency sent any of its own astronauts into the harsh vacuum of space, so there’s some excitement among ISS-watchers around the upcoming extravehicular activities.

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The first one is currently scheduled for Thursday, January 8, with NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman set to leave the relative safety of the station via the Quest airlock.

The two astronauts will prepare the 2A power channel for the future installation of roll-out solar arrays. Once installed, the arrays will provide additional power for the station, including critical support for the station’s safe and controlled deorbit, which is set to take place around 2030.

The spacewalk will be the first for Cardman, while Fincke will be embarking on his 10th, tying him for the most spacewalks performed by a NASA astronaut.

A week later, on Thursday, January 15, two as-yet unnamed NASA astronauts will exit the orbital outpost to carry out various tasks. Among them will be the replacement of a high-definition camera on camera port 3, the installation of a new navigational aid (a planar reflector) for visiting spacecraft on the Harmony module’s forward port, and relocating an early ammonia servicer jumper — a flexible hose assembly that connects parts of a fluid system — along with other jumpers on a couple of the station’s trusses, NASA said on its website.

The upcoming spacewalks will mark the 278th and 279th external activities for space station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.

NASA will livestream the two spacewalks on its NASA+ online channel, with specific timings to be shared nearer the time. Video content will be delivered via an array of cameras attached to not only the station, but also the astronauts themselves. You’ll also be able to listen to the astronauts discussing their activities with Mission Control back on Earth, and NASA will provide a live commentary explaining exactly what you’re seeing.

While NASA astronauts have stayed inside the station since May 2025, Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, Alexey Zubritsky ventured outside in October in spacewalks that lasted between six and seven hours.

Trevor Mogg
Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
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