Astronaut Captures 'Skies of Blue and Clouds of White' as Expedition 74 Advances Research and Maintenance on the ISS (Dec. 8–12, 2025)

The seven members of Expedition 74 spent Dec. 8–12, 2025, aboard the International Space Station conducting biological research, preparing a departing cargo ship and performing routine systems maintenance — all while enjoying stunning views of Earth.

Stunning Earth Photos

"Thinking, 'I'm sure everyone would want to see a photo of Earth,' I took a few shots right before going to bed. I think the amazing thing about the ISS is that you can see views like this without even trying," JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui wrote on social media on Dec. 11. His images capture vivid blue oceans and bright cloud patterns — a scene that evokes Louis Armstrong's lyric "skies of blue and clouds of white."

Science Highlights

StemCellEx‑IP1: NASA astronaut Zena Cardman examined stem cells under a microscope to compare how they grow and differentiate in microgravity versus on Earth. The experiment aims to improve understanding of cell behavior in space and could inform future approaches to repairing damaged organs and tissues.

Virtual (Vestibular Study): In a Roscosmos experiment, Sergey Kud‑Sverchkov and Sergey Mikaev alternated wearing different virtual‑reality goggles to monitor vestibular and visual system adaptation in microgravity. Results could help design countermeasures for crew readaptation to gravity after flight.

Station Systems and Maintenance

Expedition 74 flight engineer Kimiya Yui, a JAXA astronaut, captured this view of Earth from the International Space Station on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. | Credit: NASA / JAXA/Kimiya Yui

JEM DRCS Installation: JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui installed and soundproofed the JEM Demonstration of CO2 Removal System (JEM DRCS) in the Kibo module. The demo captures cabin CO2 and vents it overboard; its design has potential applications for Artemis lunar missions and longer Mars mission architectures.

HTV‑X1 Preparations: NASA astronauts Chris Williams and Mike Fincke, assisted by Zena Cardman and Kimiya Yui, continued readying Japan's HTV‑X1 cargo ship for departure in January. Activities included loading refuse and no‑longer‑needed equipment, and preparing a science rack for transfer into the vehicle.

Waste And Hygiene Compartment Maintenance: Mike Fincke performed plumbing service on the Waste and Hygiene Compartment located in the Tranquility node, replacing orbital plumbing components as part of routine upkeep to ensure crew comfort and system reliability.

Crew Spotlight

NASA astronaut Chris Williams reflected on his lifelong fascination with exploration during an in‑flight interview with The Washington Post on Dec. 11, describing how childhood curiosity led him to become an astronaut. The interview provides a personal look at the perspective and motivations of an active ISS flight engineer.

Orbital Traffic And Station Status (As Of Dec. 12, 2025)

• Crew: Seven aboard — Expedition 74 commander Mike Fincke; NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Chris Williams; JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui; Roscosmos flight engineers Oleg Platonov, Sergey Kud‑Sverchkov and Sergey Mikaev.
• Crewed spacecraft docked: SpaceX Dragon "Endeavour" at the Harmony space‑facing port; Soyuz MS‑28 at the Rassvet Earth‑facing port.
• Cargo vehicles docked: Progress MS‑31 (92P) at Poisk; Progress MS‑32 (93P) at Zvezda aft port; Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL (S.S. William C. "Willie" McCool) berthed to Unity; and JAXA's HTV‑X1 attached to Harmony.
• The ISS has been continuously crewed for 25 years, 1 month and 10 days as of Dec. 12, 2025.

Expedition 74's mix of fundamental biology experiments and hands‑on systems work illustrates the dual nature of ISS operations: advancing science while sustaining the complex hardware that enables long‑duration human presence in low Earth orbit.