Four astronauts from NASA’s Crew-11 will return to Earth earlier than planned due to a medical issue experienced by an unnamed crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their return, scheduled to happen within the next few days, comes more than a month ahead of the original timeline, which was expected to conclude in mid-February 2024.
NASA has not disclosed the specific nature of the medical issue, citing privacy concerns. The agency typically maintains confidentiality regarding astronauts’ health matters. Dr. James Polk, NASA’s chief health and medical officer, confirmed that the affected astronaut is in stable condition. He emphasized that no special treatment will be provided during the return journey, as the astronaut is best evaluated on the ground.
Medical Decision and Mission Impact
Dr. Polk explained during a news conference that although the ISS is equipped with a comprehensive suite of medical hardware, it lacks the full capabilities found in an emergency department. “We have a very robust suite of medical hardware on board the International Space Station,” he stated, adding that completing a thorough evaluation is best done on Earth.
The Crew-11 team includes American astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. Their mission was part of the ISS’s regular staffing rotation, and typically, NASA would not return a crew before another team is ready to take their place. However, newly appointed NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, who has personal experience with SpaceX missions, made the decision to expedite their return.
Isaacman noted that NASA is preparing for the launch of four crew members on the upcoming Crew-12 mission, which is expected to take off in the coming weeks. This decision allows the agency to ensure that staffing levels on the ISS remain adequate.
Delayed Operations and Remaining Crew
On March 15, 2024, NASA announced the medical concern, which resulted in the postponement of a scheduled spacewalk. The agency reassured the public that such situations are anticipated and that extensive training is conducted to handle them safely.
When the Crew-11 astronauts depart, only one NASA astronaut will remain aboard the ISS: Chris Williams. He arrived at the station in late November 2023 as part of a ride-sharing agreement between the United States and Russia. NASA officials expressed confidence in Williams’s ability to manage any tasks that arise during this period, as he will soon be joined by the Crew-12 astronauts, restoring normal staffing levels.
Amit Kshatriya, NASA’s associate administrator, highlighted the importance of mixed crews aboard both American and Russian vehicles. “This is one of the reasons why we fly mixed crews on Soyuz and US vehicles,” he said, “because we want to ensure we have operators for both segments of the space station.”
As the situation develops, NASA continues to prioritize the health and safety of its astronauts while maintaining the operational integrity of the International Space Station.
