NASA has announced an upcoming series of spacewalks scheduled for January 2026, which will involve critical upgrades and installations at the International Space Station (ISS). These activities are part of ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance the functionality of the orbiting laboratory. The first of the planned excursions will take place on January 8, with astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman set to exit the ISS’s Quest airlock. This spacewalk, marking Cardman’s first and Fincke’s tenth, will focus on preparing the 2A power channel for the future installation of International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (iROSA). These arrays are expected to significantly boost the station’s power supply, essential for its long-term operational sustainability and safety protocols, including controlled deorbit procedures. A subsequent spacewalk is scheduled for January 15, where astronauts will replace a high-definition camera and install a new navigational aid for visiting spacecraft on the Harmony module. Additionally, they will reposition an ammonia servicer jumper and other components, crucial for the station’s fluid system management across its trusses. NASA plans to provide a detailed preview of these missions during a briefing on January 6 at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, which will be available via live stream on NASA’s YouTube channel and other digital platforms. Media representatives wishing to participate can register by contacting the NASA Johnson newsroom. Further details about the astronauts for the second spacewalk and exact start times will be announced closer to the event dates. These spacewalks, numbered 278th and 279th in the history of station assembly and maintenance, will also be the inaugural extravehicular activities for Expedition 74, marking a significant start to the new year’s operational agenda at the ISS. Post navigation Zelenskyy’s Diplomatic Marathon