NASA has announced the timing for its first medical evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS) following an astronaut’s serious but undisclosed health issue. The agency aims to facilitate the departure of the affected crew no earlier than 5 PM EST on Wednesday, January 14, with plans for a landing near California early Thursday morning, January 15, contingent upon weather and recovery conditions.
At a briefing on Thursday, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman explained that the decision to return Crew-11 ahead of schedule was made after consultations with Chief Health and Medical Officer Dr. James Polk and other leaders within the agency. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first medical evacuation in the 25-year history of the ISS, underscoring the complexities and challenges of space missions.
While the names of the astronauts involved and the specific medical condition have not been disclosed due to privacy concerns, Isaacman characterized the health issue as serious. Dr. Polk added that the astronaut is stable, indicating that the evacuation is not emergent in nature. However, he noted that the uncertainty surrounding the astronaut’s diagnosis presents ongoing risks.
Crew-11 is led by US Commander Zena Cardman and includes NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. Meanwhile, three other crew members, US astronaut Chris Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Mikayev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, will remain at the ISS to continue their work.
Looking ahead, NASA is preparing for the future of the ISS, with plans to deorbit the aging space station by late 2030 or early 2031, which is essential for maintaining the safety and functionality of space operations. This current situation serves as a reminder of the rigorous attention to crew welfare that is crucial in the extraordinary environment of space exploration.