NASA carries out first-ever medical evacuation from ISS as astronauts return to Earth from space
NASA has carried out the first-ever medical evacuation of astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS), rushing a four-person crew back to Earth after an in-orbit health emergency.
The Crew-11 capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California at approximately 3:41am ET on Thursday, ending a roughly 10-hour return flight.
The return was prompted by a medical issue that NASA flight surgeons determined could not be fully treated in microgravity.
On board were NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.
The spacecraft fired its engines to deorbit at 2:50am before enduring a fiery re-entry through Earth’s atmosphere, deploying four parachutes to slow its descent into the ocean moments before splashdown.
A recovery vessel with medical personnel retrieved the capsule at sea, conducted immediate health assessments, and transported the astronauts by helicopter and jet to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for further evaluation.
The American space agency has declined to identify the affected crew member or disclose the nature of the condition, citing medical privacy.
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman decided to bring the crew home early out of an abundance of caution, noting that the astronaut’s medical episode was considered ‘serious’ and would require additional medical care on Earth.
The spacecraft fired its engines to deorbit at 2:50am before enduring a fiery re-entry through Earth’s atmosphere, deploying four parachutes to slow its descent into the ocean
Crew-11 before leaving the ISS. Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov (Back left), NASA astronaut Mike Fincke (Front left), JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui (Front right), and NASA’s Zena Cardman (Back right)
NASA’s chief medical officer, Dr James Polk, said last week they were in stable condition and were not in any immediate danger.
He noted that the astronaut’s medical condition had nothing to do with an upcoming spacewalk on January 8, which was cancelled, or any other operations on board the station.
NASA is set to host a live conference at 5:45am to discuss the astronauts’ return.
Boats swarmed the capsule as it bobbed on top of the water, which then pulled the craft towards a recovery vessel in the distance.
The capsule was hoisted onto the vessel, and the SpaceX ground team quickly went to work cooling down the capsule and removing any debris that may have attached to the hatch door during the descent.
The hatch was opened at 3:19am, giving the astronauts their first breath of fresh air since launching to the ISS on August 1.
Medical doctors were the first to meet the crew, giving them a quick routine health check.
This is a developing story… More updates to come.
The SpaceX Dragon capsule hit the water at 3:41am, brining the four-person Crew-11 home
The return capsule was hoisted onto a recover vessel that was waiting nearby in the Pacific Ocean
