Expedition 74 crew members, aboard the International Space Station (ISS), are gearing up for a pivotal spacewalk while advancing microgravity research. NASA flight engineers Jessica Meir and Chris Williams prepped spacesuits in the Quest airlock, cleaning cooling loops and reviewing procedures for the 18 March extravehicular activity (EVA). They’ll install kit modifications and route cables for the seventh roll-out solar array, enhancing ISS power capacity. Meanwhile, Jack Hathaway and ESA’s Sophie Adenot tested EchoFinder-2, an AI-augmented reality ultrasound device in the Columbus module, scanning organs autonomously to cut Earth reliance for distant missions. NASA further reports that Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev monitored vascular health with sensors, while Andrey Fedyaev maintained oxygen generators and water systems. Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL, after delivering 11,000 pounds of cargo since September 2025, undocks on 12 March via Canadarm2 for Pacific re-entry. These efforts blend maintenance and science, fuelling deep space ambitions under the President’s Artemis push. Live coverages start 6:45 a.m. EDT on all NASA platforms.
Spacewalk preparations on the International Space Station
NASA flight engineers Jessica Meir and Chris Williams are leading the charge for an upcoming spacewalk set for 18 March. Inside the Quest airlock, the duo meticulously cleaned cooling loops on their spacesuits, refilled water components, and inspected helmets to ensure everything functions flawlessly during the six-and-a-half-hour extravehicular activity (EVA). Their mission? To install a modification kit and route cables on the port side of the ISS for a future roll-out solar array, the seventh such array to boost the station’s power generation. As posted on their X account, “Meir and Williams will spend a lot of time preparing for this mission, studying each step of the process,” emphasising the precision required in orbit. This spacewalk underscores the ongoing upgrades keeping the ISS powered amid its ageing infrastructure.Veteran astronaut Jessica Meir, with her experience from previous EVAs, pairs seamlessly with Chris Williams, who has been adapting to station life since November. Their teamwork in the Quest airlock not only preps hardware but also reviews emergency procedures, vital for the harsh vacuum of space.Augmented reality and AI in space health checksInnovation isn’t just outside the station, it’s thriving inside too. Flight engineers Jack Hathaway of NASA and Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency (ESA) conducted augmented-reality-guided ultrasound scans using the EchoFinder-2 device in the Columbus laboratory module. They imaged each other’s abdomen and vascular systems, with AI analysing the data to identify organs automatically. “EchoFinder-2 opens the door to autonomous ultrasound using minimal training and low-tech hardware for space missions,” explains an ESA report on the tech, which reduces reliance on Earth-based experts crucial for future Mars journeys where signal delays stretch to 20 minutes. Adenot, on her first mission since February 2026, and Hathaway, a U.S. Navy captain with over 2,500 flight hours, swapped roles to test the system’s reliability in weightlessness. Meanwhile, NASA blogs further entail Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev monitored circulatory health with blood pressure cuffs and sensors on foreheads, fingers, and toes. Data beamed to laptops helps doctors track microgravity’s toll on vascular systems, from fluid shifts to potential clots. Flight engineer Andrey Fedyaev kept life support humming, servicing the Elektron oxygen generator in the Zvezda module and purifying water tanks to safeguard the crew’s supply.
Cygnus cargo spacecraft departure from ISS
Wrapping up a six-month stay since 18 September 2025, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft is slated to undock on 12 March. Packed with trash and experiments, it’ll be grappled by the Canadarm2 robotic arm from the Unity module and released for a fiery re-entry over the South Pacific. The mission delivered over 11,000 pounds of supplies, hardware, and science payloads under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services programme. “Cygnus XL, operated by Northrop Grumman, is scheduled to depart the ISS on Thursday, March 12,” confirms Space Coast Daily, noting live coverage starts at 6:45 a.m. EDT on NASA+.Sophie Adenot will oversee Cygnus’ systems post-release, ensuring a smooth exit. This departure clears the docking port for future missions, sustaining the ISS’s role as a springboard for deep space ambitions.
Expedition 74 crew: Pioneering spacewalks
Expedition 74, underway since December 2025, blends NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos expertise for research in biology, physics, and human physiology. From solar array upgrades powering tomorrow’s outpost to AI diagnostics paving autonomous medicine, these activities captivate global audiences.As President Trump’s administration eyes Artemis and beyond, the ISS remains Earth’s orbital lab, where today’s tweaks like rolling out solar arrays fuel sustainable power for extended human presence in space. Catch the action live and witness history unfold 400 km above us.
