NASA Initiates Medical Evacuation of Astronauts from ISS

NASA has ordered a “controlled medical evacuation” of four crew members from the International Space Station (ISS) following a medical issue involving one astronaut. The announcement was made on October 26, 2023, after one of the seven crew members experienced a “medical situation” earlier in the week. While the agency has not disclosed the identity of the affected astronaut, NASA officials have emphasized that the individual is “absolutely stable.”

James “JD” Polk, NASA’s chief health and medical officer, stated that the decision to expedite the return of the Crew-11 astronauts is a precautionary measure. The Crew-11 mission, which launched on August 1, 2023, was originally scheduled for a return to Earth around February 20, 2024. Instead, the astronauts will embark on their journey back in the coming days, culminating in a parachute-assisted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.

Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator, explained, “After discussions with our chief health and medical officer, Dr. JD Polk, and leadership across the agency, I’ve come to the decision that it’s in the best interests of our astronauts to return Crew-11 ahead of their planned departure.” The mission is commanded by Zena Cardman, who is completing her first journey to space, alongside her second-in-command, Mike Fincke, a seasoned astronaut on his fourth flight.

Medical Situation Remains Confidential

Details about the medical issue have not been made public, as Polk cited privacy concerns regarding the astronaut’s condition. “I’m not going to speak about any particular astronaut or any particular specific diagnosis,” he stated, urging respect for the astronaut’s privacy.

The incident occurred while Cardman and Fincke were preparing for a spacewalk. The pre-spacewalk procedure involves breathing high concentrations of oxygen to reduce nitrogen levels in the bloodstream, a practice designed to prevent decompression sickness. Polk clarified that the medical situation was unrelated to this preparation, stating, “This was totally unrelated to any operations onboard.”

On October 25, Kimiya Yui, a fellow astronaut, contacted mission control in Houston to request a private medical conference with a flight surgeon, which led to the subsequent medical evaluation. Following the incident, NASA swiftly removed the audio feed from YouTube after the crew requested privacy during their medical discussions.

Polk emphasized the high level of training Crew-11 members possess, allowing them to respond promptly to emergencies. The ISS is equipped with medical supplies and equipment, enabling astronauts to perform basic medical procedures akin to what emergency medical technicians might provide during transit to a hospital.

Future Implications for the Space Station

While the evacuation is not considered an urgent response, Polk acknowledged the “lingering risk” of the astronaut’s medical condition remaining in orbit. “Because the astronaut is absolutely stable, this is not an emergent evacuation,” he explained, indicating that the decision was made to prioritize the health and well-being of the crew.

Following Crew-11’s early departure, the ISS will temporarily operate with a reduced crew of three until the arrival of SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission, which is currently scheduled for February 15, 2024. NASA is exploring the possibility of adjusting the launch date to ensure continuous operations aboard the space station.

Chris Williams, along with two Russian cosmonauts who arrived in November 2023, will manage the station until the new crew arrives. Williams will oversee the U.S. segment of the ISS, but some scientific investigations may be deferred due to the reduced crew size.

The early conclusion of Crew-11’s mission marks a significant event in NASA’s history, as this is the first instance of a controlled medical evacuation from the ISS. NASA has previously conducted early mission terminations for various reasons, but this is the first for medical concerns. Polk noted that predictive models suggested a medical evacuation would occur approximately every three years, highlighting that it took 25 years for this scenario to unfold.

As NASA continues to learn from this experience, Isaacman remarked, “We will absolutely learn from this situation as well, to see if that informs our future on-orbit operations.” The ongoing research surrounding human health in space is vital, especially for future missions aimed at deep space exploration, including potential missions to Mars.