Medical Issue Postpones Crew Spacewalks 94 & 95 | International Space Station
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) flight engineer Kimiya Yui, reflected in the visor of a crewmate’s helmet.
Flight engineer and NASA astronaut Zena Cardman: "Kimiya Yui is a technical master, but I love him even more for his selfless nature, bottomless patience, and perfect blend of humor and humility. When I’m having a rough day, Kimiya somehow shows up at exactly the right moment with a piece of chocolate, saying 'thank you for your hard work'–and everything becomes magically better. This week marked Yui-san’s 300th cumulative day in space, and I feel so lucky to have shared some of that time with him."
NASA Astronaut and Expedition 74 Flight Engineer Zena Cardman is pictured in her pressurized spacesuit, checking its communication and power systems ahead of a spacewalk originally planned for Thursday, Jan. 8, 2025. At upper right, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kimiya Yui assists Cardman as she tests the operations of her spacesuit inside the International Space Station’s Quest airlock.
At center, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut and Expedition 74 Flight Engineer Kimiya Yui assists NASA astronauts Zena Cardman (left) and Mike Fincke (right), the station’s flight engineer and commander respectively, during spacesuit checks inside the International Space Station’s Quest airlock.
NASA astronaut and Expedition 74 Commander Mike Fincke is pictured in his pressurized spacesuit, checking its communication and power systems ahead of a spacewalk originally planned for Thursday, Jan. 8, 2025. Partially obscured at left, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Astronaut and Expedition 74 Flight Engineer Kimiya Yui assists NASA Flight Engineer Zena Cardman as she tests the operations of her spacesuit inside the International Space Station’s Quest airlock.
NASA astronaut and Expedition 74 Commander Mike Fincke poses inside the International Space Station’s Quest airlock next to a spacesuit. The helmet is secured with a protective cover designed to prevent scratches and contamination when the suit is not in use, ensuring the visor remains clear for spacewalks.
International Space Station Expedition 74 Crew Mission Emblem
Updates: NASA announced on Thursday, January 8, 2026, its decision to return the agency’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission to Earth from the International Space Station earlier than originally planned as teams monitor a medical concern with a crew member currently living and working aboard the orbital laboratory. As NASA reviews Crew-11 return dates, the agency also is working with SpaceX, and its international partners, to review the options available to advance launch opportunities for the Crew-12 mission. The agency anticipates a decision on a target Crew-11 return date in the coming days.
Four Expedition 74 crew members are preparing for their return to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft. SpaceX Crew-11 members have begun checking the fit and operability of their Dragon pressure suits. Fit verification is necessary because the spine lengthens and body fluids shift toward the head in microgravity, affecting torso and limb dimensions. The quartet also tested the suits’ audio and video communication systems.
Dragon Commander Zena Cardman will lead Pilot Mike Fincke, both NASA astronauts, and Mission Specialists Kimiya Yui of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Oleg Platonov of Roscosmos (Russia) back to Earth inside Dragon. On Jan. 9, 2026, the foursome began collecting their personal items and packing them for stowage aboard the spacecraft.
Follow Expedition 74:
Expedition 74 Crew
Station Commander: Mike Fincke (NASA)
JAXA Flight Engineer (Japan): Kimiya Yui
Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Oleg Platonov, Sergey-Kud Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev
NASA Flight Engineers: Zena Cardman, Chris Williams
Image Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center
Release Dates: Dec. 3, 2026 to Jan. 7, 2025
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