NASA is contemplating an unusual early return of its crew from the International Space Station due to an undisclosed medical matter involving one of the astronauts. This decision followed the cancellation of a scheduled spacewalk for Thursday, as confirmed by the agency.
A spokesperson from NASA stated that the astronaut facing the medical issue, whose identity was not disclosed, is currently in a stable condition aboard the space station. Emphasizing the top priority of ensuring mission safety, the spokesperson mentioned that all possibilities are being considered, including the potential of concluding Crew-11’s mission ahead of schedule.
An earlier communication from NASA highlighted the monitoring of a medical concern that arose on Wednesday afternoon concerning a crew member. Typically, astronauts reside on the ISS for six to eight months, equipped with basic medical supplies and medications for certain emergencies.
The Crew-11 team comprises U.S. astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. They have been on the space station since their launch from Florida in August and were initially set to return around May this year.
Scheduled to perform a 6½-hour spacewalk on Thursday for installing external hardware, Fincke, designated as the station’s commander, and Cardman, serving as the flight engineer, were prepared for the task. Medical incidents on the ISS are treated confidentially by NASA’s astronaut group, with astronauts rarely disclosing their health conditions publicly.
Spacewalks are daunting and hazardous activities that demand extensive training, involving bulky spacesuits and precise coordination while tethered to the ISS. In a past event in 2024, NASA called off a planned spacewalk due to an astronaut experiencing “spacesuit discomfort,” while in 2021, U.S. astronaut Mark Vande Hei canceled a spacewalk due to a pinched nerve.