NASA’s Crew-11 Returns Early for Medical Evaluation

NASA has announced that its Crew-11 mission will return to Earth earlier than planned due to a medical concern involving one of its astronauts. The crew, which includes NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday afternoon and splash down off the coast of California early Thursday morning.

This marks the first medical evacuation in the 25-year history of the ISS. NASA officials have emphasized that this is not an emergency situation, as the affected astronaut’s condition remains stable. For reasons of privacy, the identity of the astronaut and details regarding the health issue have not been disclosed.

During a change-of-command ceremony broadcast live from the ISS on Monday, all seven crew members appeared to be in good health. Cardman expressed gratitude for the support of her fellow crew members and the teams on the ground, saying, “Our timing of this departure is unexpected, but what was not surprising to me was how well this crew came together as a family.” Fincke echoed these sentiments in a social media post, stating that returning home early was “the right call, even if it’s a bit bittersweet.”

While the current crew prepares to return, another NASA astronaut, Chris Williams, along with two Russian cosmonauts, will remain aboard the station. A replacement four-person crew is set to launch in a SpaceX capsule in February.

NASA has implemented training for crews to handle medical emergencies and has considered protocols for various scenarios, including the death of an astronaut in orbit. Until now, NASA had not executed an early return for medical reasons, despite earlier predictions that such instances might occur every three years during the station’s operational lifespan. James Polk, NASA’s chief health and medical officer, noted, “And we’ve not had one to date.”

The initial indication of a medical issue arose on January 7, 2024, when NASA abruptly canceled the first planned spacewalk of the year, citing a “medical concern with a crew member.” Following this, the agency announced the decision to bring Crew-11 back early.

Polk stated that the situation warranted a full diagnostic evaluation, which is more effectively conducted on the ground where comprehensive medical testing equipment is available. The ISS has a history of addressing various health concerns among astronauts, from routine ailments to issues caused by the unique conditions of microgravity.

Over the years, NASA has managed various medical conditions in space, including toothaches and ear pain. In one notable case, a blood clot in an astronaut’s jugular vein was discovered during a research study. NASA consulted Stephan Moll, an expert on blood clots at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to navigate this complex health issue. Moll indicated that a clot in this vein is rare even on Earth, and its occurrence in space presented numerous challenges.

Fortunately, the ISS was equipped with an injectable anti-clotting medication, which the astronaut received until oral medications could be delivered during a resupply mission. Administering the drug in microgravity proved to be a challenge, as the liquid formed floating droplets that had to be carefully managed.

Moll commended the professionalism and attention to detail of the NASA team, stating, “I was so impressed how detailed-oriented and thoughtful people are, not just assuming things.” He recalled a direct conversation he had with the astronaut aboard the ISS, highlighting the human aspect of space medicine: “They’re just normal people up there.”

As Crew-11 prepares for its return, NASA’s swift action underscores the agency’s commitment to astronaut health and safety, demonstrating that even in the extraordinary environment of space, the well-being of individuals remains a top priority.