How an orbital news conference delivered an Olympic torch to the stars

Space · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: On November 8, a diverse crew of nine astronauts and cosmonauts gathered aboard the International Space Station. Beyond discussing complex scientific research, they shared news of a unique mission: transporting the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics torch to the orbital outpost.

The news conference, held on November 8, featured an international cohort representing several space agencies. The crew included Expedition Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and crew members Oleg Kotov, Sergey Ryazanskiy, and Mikhail Tyurin from the Russian Federal Space Agency. NASA's Michael Hopkins, Rick Mastracchio, and Karen Nyberg accompanied ESA's Luca Parmitano alongside JAXA's Koichi Wakata. The group also included NASA's Karen Nyberg. This diverse team represented the Russian Federal Space Agency, NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

While the primary focus of life aboard the station involves continuous research and station maintenance, this specific gathering highlighted the intersection of space exploration and global culture. A key subject of conversation involved transporting the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics torch to the International Space Station. The crew used this opportunity to discuss their specific handover timing. This period of transition is a critical part of station operations.

The station serves as a permanent orbiting laboratory where crews manage complex handovers and ongoing scientific investigations. This includes advanced health research, such as scanning veins and testing specialized suits designed to help astronauts adjust to the space environment. As the station prepares for new arrivals, such as the SpaceX Crew-13 mission, the crew continues to manage the logistical and scientific demands of long-duration spaceflight. Research during Expedition 75 also involved evaluating space-based exercise equipment. Additionally, the crew conducted scans of human veins. These activities occur as the station prepares for the arrival of the SpaceX Crew-13 mission.

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