NASA has announced plans for its first medical evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS) after an astronaut experienced a “serious” but undisclosed medical issue. The agency confirmed via social media on Friday that it aims to begin the evacuation no earlier than 17:00 EST on January 14, 2024, with a target landing near California early the following morning, depending on weather and recovery conditions.
At a briefing on Thursday, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated, “After discussions with Chief Health and Medical Officer Dr. James Polk and leadership across the agency, I’ve come to the decision that it’s in the best interest of our astronauts to return Crew-11 ahead of their planned departure.” This marks the first medical evacuation in the ISS’s 25-year history, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The specific identity of the affected astronaut and details regarding the medical issue have not been disclosed, as NASA cited patient privacy. “This was a serious medical condition,” Isaacman emphasized, underscoring the need for the evacuation.
In conjunction with the evacuation, NASA has also canceled its first spacewalk of the year. Dr. Polk clarified, “Because the astronaut is absolutely stable, this is not an emergent evacuation. We’re not immediately disembarking and getting the astronaut down, but it leaves that lingering risk and lingering question as to what that diagnosis is, and that means there is some lingering risk for that astronaut onboard.”
Crew-11, led by US commander Zena Cardman, arrived at the ISS aboard a SpaceX capsule in August 2023. The crew includes NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. Meanwhile, astronauts Chris Williams of the US and Russia’s Sergei Mikayev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov will continue their work on the station.
As NASA navigates this unprecedented situation, the agency is also planning for the future of the ISS. The aging space station, which has become increasingly expensive to operate, is expected to be decommissioned and brought out of orbit by late 2030 or early 2031.
This medical evacuation underscores the complexities and risks associated with human spaceflight, as NASA continues to prioritize the health and safety of its astronauts while maintaining its commitment to ongoing missions aboard the ISS.
