NASA is preparing for a medical evacuation of a Crew-11 astronaut from the International Space Station (ISS) after a health issue arose in orbit. This unprecedented decision, announced by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman during a press briefing, marks the first time a space agency has mandated such an evacuation during an ISS mission.
According to Andrew Feustel, a former NASA astronaut and current lead astronaut at the ISS, the need for a medical evacuation is a significant indicator of the health risks faced by astronauts in space. “Statistically, it probably should have happened many times by now over the last 25 years,” Feustel noted, emphasizing the rigorous medical screening procedures in place for astronauts prior to their missions.
In orbit, approximately 370 kilometers above Earth, the ISS is equipped with various medical supplies and equipment to address a range of health issues, from dental emergencies to serious conditions like heart attacks. The station houses essential medical tools, including ultrasound machines, intravenous (IV) equipment, and defibrillators. An extensive pharmacy onboard contains medications such as anesthetics, anti-sickness drugs, hydration solutions, and antibiotics.
Jordan Bimm, a space historian and assistant professor at the University of Chicago, explained the comprehensive medical capabilities of the ISS. “You can do things like administer oxygen to somebody. You can do wound care. There’s a whole pharmacy basically onboard,” he said. Despite this, the station lacks facilities for major surgical procedures, including a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine.
Former astronaut Catherine Coleman shared insights on the training astronauts undergo to prepare for medical emergencies. Before launching, crew members participate in extensive training sessions with medical professionals across various specializations, including emergency medicine and dentistry. They learn critical skills such as placing IVs, performing tracheostomies to create airways, and conducting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). “We’re doing these procedures with great supervision, but we’re actually doing them so that, if it comes up, we’re ready,” Coleman stated.
Once aboard the ISS, astronauts maintain regular communication with ground-based medical teams who guide them through any necessary procedures. This system of remote medical consultation resembles telemedicine on Earth, allowing astronauts to receive real-time support for their health concerns. Coleman highlighted the importance of this communication in the decision to evacuate the Crew-11 astronaut, stating, “It’s nontrivial to decide you’re going to end a space mission, given how much effort is put into executing one in the first place.”
Despite thorough training and support, the unique environment of microgravity complicates even routine medical procedures. The ISS is equipped with a stretcher designed to secure crew members during treatment. Coleman recalled her first day on the station, where she contemplated how to perform CPR in near weightlessness. “It depends on the person, if that is going to be enough force or not,” she explained.
Health monitoring is crucial for astronauts, who regularly collect blood and urine samples during their missions. They also participate in various medical experiments, allowing them to stay attuned to their well-being. Coleman described the experience: “We are lab rats up there, and so we’re really taught to be actively thinking about how we’re doing.”
Despite the extensive preparation, unforeseen medical issues can arise. “We don’t have an operating room on the ISS, and we really don’t have all of the support infrastructures that we need for any major complications,” Feustel remarked. The standard protocol for emergencies in low-Earth orbit is to return to Earth, a situation now facing the Crew-11 mission.
While the health status of the affected astronaut has been described as “stable” by Isaacman, the decision to bring them back to Earth underscores the gravity of the situation. The evacuation plan highlights the challenges and risks associated with long-duration space missions, particularly as NASA prepares for future endeavors in human spaceflight.
