NASA has announced plans for its first medical evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS) following the onset of a serious medical issue affecting an astronaut. The agency aims to begin the evacuation no earlier than 17:00 EST on January 14, 2024, with the objective of landing the crew near California early the next morning, January 15, 2024, contingent on weather and recovery conditions.
During 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 decision marks a significant moment in the ISS’s 25-year history, as it is the first time a medical evacuation is being carried out from the station.
The astronaut’s identity and the nature of the medical issue remain undisclosed due to privacy concerns. However, Isaacman emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “This was a serious medical condition. That is why we’re pursuing this path.” As a precaution, NASA has also canceled its first spacewalk of the year.
Dr. Polk clarified that while the astronaut is stable, the situation necessitates the 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,” he explained.
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. The remaining crew members, US astronaut Chris Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Mikayev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, will continue their missions aboard the station.
Looking ahead, NASA is planning to retire the aging ISS, which has become increasingly costly to operate, by late 2030 or early 2031. The agency’s ongoing commitment to space exploration remains steadfast, even amidst unforeseen challenges such as this medical evacuation.
