NASA Previews January U.S. Spacewalks at International Space Station as Astronauts Prepare for Power System Upgrades

Houston, Texas; December 29th, 2025

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced that it will preview a series of United States spacewalks scheduled for January at the International Space Station, outlining upcoming extravehicular activities that will support critical power-system upgrades and continued orbital operations.

According to NASA, the agency will host a public preview briefing on January 6th at the Johnson Space Center, where officials will explain the objectives, planning, and execution of the upcoming spacewalks. The agency stated that the briefing will provide an overview of the work astronauts will perform outside the station and the coordination required between crews in orbit and mission controllers on the ground.

NASA confirmed that the January spacewalks will focus on preparations related to roll-out solar arrays, hardware designed to increase the station’s electrical power capacity. These arrays are intended to supplement existing solar panels and support the station’s growing power demands, including scientific research, life-support systems, and operational equipment.

Officials from NASA’s International Space Station Program and Flight Operations Directorate are scheduled to participate in the preview briefing. According to the agency, these officials oversee spacewalk planning, task sequencing, tool development, and astronaut safety. NASA stated that they will describe how spacewalk tasks are selected, rehearsed, and executed in the unique environment of space.

NASA also confirmed that United States astronauts will conduct the January spacewalks, including one astronaut scheduled to complete a milestone extravehicular activity and another preparing to perform a first spacewalk. The agency noted that each spacewalk requires extensive preparation, including underwater training, equipment testing, and coordination across multiple NASA centers.

Extravehicular activities remain among the most technically demanding operations performed during human spaceflight. NASA emphasized that astronauts must work in pressurized suits, manage limited oxygen supplies, and complete precise mechanical tasks while orbiting Earth at thousands of miles per hour.

In its announcement, NASA underscored the importance of regular spacewalks in maintaining the International Space Station as a functioning research laboratory. Agency officials stated that many external systems cannot be accessed from inside the station and must be installed, repaired, or upgraded during spacewalks.

NASA further stated that live coverage of the January 6th preview briefing will be made available through the agency’s official broadcast platforms, allowing the public to observe the discussion and learn more about how spacewalk missions are planned.

The International Space Station has maintained a continuous human presence since November 2000. NASA noted that routine maintenance and upgrades, including the January spacewalks, remain essential to keeping the station operational and supporting scientific research conducted aboard the orbiting laboratory.

Sources

Primary First-Hand Sources

• NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION — Official press release titled “NASA to Preview U.S. Spacewalks at Space Station in January,” issued December 28th, 2025