First spacewalk of 2026 set for January 8: When astronauts step outside and where you can watch it live

NASA Kicks Off 2026 With a Spacewalk on January 8: Inside the Mission and Live Viewing Details (Image: Canva)

NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman will conduct the first spacewalk of 2026 from the International Space Station. The six-and-a-half-hour mission will prepare the station for new solar arrays, test safety equipment, collect samples, and mark a milestone for both astronauts, with live coverage streamed worldwide.

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On January 8, 2026, two NASA astronauts will conduct the first spacewalk of the year from the International Space Station, marking a key moment for Expedition 74, according to details shared on NASA’s official website. Commander Mike Fincke and Flight Engineer Zena Cardman are scheduled to exit the station’s Quest airlock at 8 am EST for a planned six-and-a-half-hour mission focused on station upgrades, inspections, and scientific checks. The spacewalk comes as part of ongoing maintenance efforts supporting the station’s long-term operations and future missions.

Expedition 74 spacewalk tasks and objectives

During the spacewalk, Fincke and Cardman will prepare the station for new power systems. NASA said the astronauts will install a modification kit on the port side truss structure. They will also carefully route cables needed for a roll-out solar array. This new solar array is expected to arrive aboard an upcoming cargo mission.

These upgrades are intended to strengthen the station’s power supply. In addition to installation work, the astronauts will fit jumper cables across external structures. They will also photograph station hardware to assist engineers on Earth. Another important task involves swabbing external station surfaces. These samples will be analysed to detect possible microorganisms. NASA uses such studies to better understand how microbes behave in space.

What the mission means for the station

Expedition 74 began on December 8, 2025, and will continue through the summer. The mission includes a seven-member international crew working aboard the orbiting laboratory. Fincke serves as commander for the expedition. Cardman is flying as a flight engineer and will complete her first spacewalk. NASA officials say routine spacewalks remain essential for station safety. Solar array preparations ensure reliable power for experiments and systems. External inspections help identify wear caused by harsh space conditions. Microbial studies support research into long-duration human spaceflight.

Preparations and safety measures before launch

In the days leading up to the spacewalk, the astronauts rehearsed procedures with ground teams. Chris Williams of NASA and Kimiya Yui from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency assisted these preparations. Williams and Yui will manage airlock pressurisation during the mission. They will also help the spacewalkers enter and exit their suits. Fincke and Cardman inspected the jetpacks built into their spacesuits. These devices allow astronauts to return safely if untethered. NASA treats such checks as standard safety requirements.

What comes next and how to watch live

NASA will provide live coverage of the spacewalk across multiple platforms. The broadcast begins at 6.30 am IST on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. A second spacewalk is scheduled for January 15 and will also stream live. That mission, known as spacewalk 94, will be the first for Cardman and the 10th for Fincke. Fincke will wear red stripes on his suit, while Cardman’s suit remains unmarked.