Expedition 74 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Expedition 74

Mission type	Long-duration expedition
Operator	NASA / Roscosmos
Mission duration	229 days, 5 hours and 21 minutes
Expedition
Space Station	International Space Station
Began	9 December 2025
Ended	26 July 2026
Arrived aboard	Soyuz MS-28 SpaceX Crew-11 Soyuz MS-29 SpaceX Crew-12
Departed aboard	Soyuz MS-28 SpaceX Crew-11
Crew
Crew size	3–10
Members	Expedition 73/74: Zena Cardman Michael Fincke Kimiya Yui Oleg Platonov Sergey Kud-Sverchkov Sergey Mikayev Christopher Williams Expedition 74/75: Jessica Meir Jack Hathaway Sophie Adenot Andrey Fedyaev Pyotr Dubrov Anna Kikina Anil Menon
EVAs	3
EVA duration	20 hours, 27 minutes
Expedition 74 mission insignia The first half crew, from left to right, top row: Fincke, Cardman, Yui, and Platanov Bottom row: Kud‑Sverchkov, Williams, and Mikayev The second half crew, from left to right, top row: Meir, Hathaway, Adenot, and Fedyaev Bottom row: Kud‑Sverchkov, Williams, and Mikayev Expeditions ← Expedition 73 Expedition 75 →

Expedition 74 was an exciting journey to the International Space Station (ISS). It was the 74th time a team of astronauts and cosmonauts lived and worked on the orbiting laboratory for a long period. This mission started on December 9, 2025, and ended on July 26, 2026.

During their time in space, the crew of Expedition 74 conducted many important science experiments. They studied things like how living things react to space, how the human body changes, and how different materials behave. They also kept the space station running smoothly and made important upgrades.

About Expedition 74

An expedition to the International Space Station is like a long-term stay for a group of space explorers. These missions help us learn more about living and working in space. They also prepare us for future trips to the Moon and Mars.

Expedition 74 officially began when the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft left the station on December 9, 2025. NASA astronaut Michael Fincke took command of the ISS at the start. The mission concluded on July 26, 2026, when the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft departed.

Meet the Astronauts and Cosmonauts

The crew of Expedition 74 changed over time. Initially, the team included NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Michael Fincke, and Christopher Williams. Also on board were JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Platonov, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and Sergey Mikayev.

In January 2026, a crew member needed to return to Earth early for health reasons. This meant that some planned spacewalks were postponed. Michael Fincke, who was the commander, returned to Earth on January 14. Before leaving, he handed over command of the station to Sergey Kud-Sverchkov.

Later, new crew members arrived. On February 14, the SpaceX Crew-12 spacecraft brought NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway. ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev also joined the team.

Towards the end of the expedition, on July 14, the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft arrived. It carried Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, along with NASA astronaut Anil Menon. On July 25, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov passed command of the ISS to Jessica Meir.

Life and Science in Space

Life on the International Space Station is busy and full of important work. The crew members spent their days conducting scientific experiments. These experiments covered many areas, from how plants grow in space to studying new materials.

They also performed routine maintenance to keep the station in top condition. This included checking systems, making repairs, and preparing for new equipment. Every task helps us understand more about living off Earth.

Exciting Spacewalks

During Expedition 74, the crew performed three exciting spacewalks. These spacewalks are when astronauts leave the station to work in the vacuum of space.

• On March 18, Jessica Meir and Christopher Williams spent over 7 hours outside. They prepared a power channel for a new solar array. These arrays help power the station.
• On May 27, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev completed a spacewalk lasting over 6 hours. They installed a solar experiment and removed old science hardware. They also took photos of an antenna on a cargo ship.
• On June 30, Christopher Williams and Jessica Meir went on another spacewalk for over 7 hours. They repaired the station's robotic arm, called Canadarm2. They replaced a broken part and brought it inside for study.

Spacecraft Visitors

The International Space Station is a busy hub for many different spacecraft. During Expedition 74, several crew and cargo vehicles arrived and departed. These visits are crucial for bringing new crew members, fresh supplies, and scientific experiments.

• The SpaceX Crew-11 spacecraft departed early on January 14, carrying four crew members back to Earth.
• The SpaceX Crew-12 spacecraft arrived on February 14, bringing new astronauts and cosmonauts.
• Various cargo ships, like Progress MS-33 and Cygnus NG-24, docked to deliver supplies. These ships bring food, water, equipment, and new experiments.
• The Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft docked on July 14, bringing the final new crew members for the expedition.
• The expedition officially ended with the departure of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft on July 26. This spacecraft carried Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikayev, and Christopher Williams back home.

Crew