NASA Initiates Medical Evacuation of Four Astronauts from ISS

NASA has announced a “controlled medical evacuation” of four astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) following a medical incident involving one crew member. The decision, confirmed on March 14, 2024, comes after the astronaut experienced a health issue earlier this week, prompting the agency to prioritize the safety and well-being of its crew.

While NASA has not disclosed the identity of the affected crew member, James “JD” Polk, NASA’s chief health and medical officer, assured reporters that the astronaut is “absolutely stable.” He emphasized the agency’s precautionary approach in deciding to return the astronaut and three others to Earth ahead of their scheduled departure on February 20, 2024.

Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator, stated during a press briefing, “After discussions with our chief health and medical officer 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 Crew-11 mission, which launched on August 1, 2023, is currently led by Zena Cardman, who is concluding her first mission in space.

Details of the Evacuation Process

The crew will return aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, which they utilized for their launch over five months ago. NASA plans to provide more information regarding the schedule for undocking and reentry within the next 48 hours. The astronauts will conduct a parachute-assisted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California.

Polk noted that the medical issue was not related to preparations for a scheduled spacewalk that Cardman and fellow astronaut Mike Fincke were set to undertake. He stated, “This was totally unrelated to any operations onboard,” highlighting the challenges of diagnosing medical conditions in the microgravity environment.

On March 13, 2024, astronaut Kimiya Yui initiated a private medical conference with mission controllers, leading to the decision to evacuate the crew early. NASA swiftly removed the audio feed from the public YouTube stream after the crew requested privacy for their medical discussion.

Medical Preparedness on the ISS

NASA has equipped the ISS with medical supplies and equipment to address emergencies. Crew members undergo extensive training to perform medical procedures such as ultrasounds and IV insertions. Polk explained that while the ISS has a robust set of medical tools, it lacks the comprehensive resources available in a hospital emergency room.

Despite the astronaut’s stable condition, Polk indicated that there remains a “lingering risk” if the individual were to remain in orbit without a confirmed diagnosis. This aspect influenced the decision to prioritize the early return of Crew-11.

Isaacman, who recently took on the role of NASA Administrator, emphasized the agency’s longstanding commitment to crew safety. “For over 60 years, NASA has set the standard for safety and security in crewed spaceflight,” he stated, reiterating that the health of astronauts is always the agency’s highest priority.

Following the Crew-11 departure, the ISS will temporarily operate with a reduced crew of three until the arrival of the next mission, Crew-12, which is currently scheduled for February 15, 2024. Until then, NASA astronaut Chris Williams and two Russian cosmonauts will manage the station’s operations.

This evacuation marks a significant moment in NASA’s history, as it is the first controlled medical evacuation initiated from the ISS. NASA and the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, have established mutual agreements to ensure that both American and Russian astronauts are present on the ISS at all times, enhancing safety and collaboration in space exploration.

As NASA navigates this unprecedented situation, it remains focused on learning from the incident to improve future operations, particularly as preparations continue for longer-duration missions to destinations such as the Moon and Mars. Isaacman concluded, “We will absolutely learn from this situation as well.”