Space Agency Halts January Mission Citing Crew Health Stability
NASA has officially paused the highly anticipated first mission of the new year. Originally scheduled for January 8, the NASA Spacewalk 2026 was postponed following a "medical concern" involving a crew member on the International Space Station (ISS). While the agency has kept specific details private to protect the individual’s identity, officials confirmed that the situation remains stable.
When the mission eventually proceeds, it will be a historic moment for International Space Station Expedition 74. Veteran Commander Mike Fincke is slated to complete his 10th walk, a feat that would tie the record for the most spacewalks by a NASA astronaut. Joining him is Flight Engineer Zena Cardman, who is marking her very first venture into the vacuum of space.
The primary goal of this 6.5-hour mission, designated as US Spacewalk 94, is to modernize the station's power grid. The duo is tasked with preparing the port-side truss for the arrival of new roll-out solar arrays. These upgrades are vital for ensuring the station has enough energy to run complex scientific experiments and maintain life support systems through the end of its operational life.
Beyond hardware upgrades, the astronauts will participate in "space biology" by swabbing the station's exterior. These samples help researchers on Earth understand how microorganisms survive and migrate in extreme microgravity environments.
Safety is the top priority for the crew. Before the delay, Fincke and Cardman spent days rehearsing with JAXA’s Kimiya Yui and NASA’s Chris Williams. They meticulously checked their spacesuit jetpacks—emergency devices designed to help an astronaut fly back to the station if they ever became untethered.
NASA plans to reschedule the mission as soon as the medical situation is cleared. Fans can catch the action via a NASA live stream YouTube link, as well as on NASA+ and Amazon Prime. For viewers in India, the coverage typically begins early in the morning, making it a perfect event for the Odisha space news community to follow. A second spacewalk, originally planned for January 15, also remains on the calendar pending further updates.
