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A “serious medical condition” affecting a crew member on the International Space Station (ISS) has prompted NASA to return the astronaut, along with three fellow crew members, to Earth months ahead of schedule. This marks the first emergency early return in the 25-year history of the orbiting laboratory, senior NASA officials said Friday.
During an unscheduled press briefing in Washington, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman explained that he and medical experts decided to bring the astronaut back because “the ability to properly diagnose and treat this condition does not exist aboard the ISS.” The identity of the astronaut and details of the medical issue have not been disclosed to protect the crew member’s privacy.
NASA Chief Health and Medical Officer James Polk clarified that the condition was “not related to any operational activity,” meaning it did not occur during mission work.
Earlier on Wednesday, NASA canceled a planned spacewalk by two U.S. astronauts that had been scheduled for Thursday due to the same “medical concern.” In a statement issued later that night, the agency said it was considering ending the affected astronaut’s mission rotation ahead of schedule.
