NASA has offered a significant clue regarding the medical crisis that prompted an unprecedented evacuation from the International Space Station. During their first public remarks since returning to Earth, astronauts from the Crew-11 mission disclosed that a portable ultrasound device proved instrumental during the emergency.
Ultrasound Machine Deemed 'Super Handy' in Space Crisis
NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, who served as pilot for the ill-fated Crew-11 mission, revealed that the portable ultrasound machine was utilised when medical issues surfaced on January 7. "Having a portable ultrasound machine helped us in this situation; we were able to take a look at things that we didn't have," Fincke explained during a press conference.
While Fincke refrained from detailing the specific medical emergency, the deployment of ultrasound technology strongly indicates two primary potential applications in space medicine. Ultrasound scans are routinely employed to assess cardiac system functionality in microgravity environments. Additionally, this technology serves as a critical tool for monitoring astronauts' ocular health, a common concern during extended space missions.
First Medical Evacuation in 65 Years of Spaceflight
The Crew-11 astronauts made their dramatic return to Earth last Thursday, marking NASA's first medical evacuation in 65 years of human spaceflight. This event also represents the first complete evacuation in the history of the International Space Station. The medical situation first became apparent on January 8 when NASA unexpectedly cancelled a planned spacewalk. Within days, by January 10, the space agency had established a timeline to bring the crew home approximately one month ahead of schedule.
The affected crew comprised NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. During the press briefing, Fincke elaborated that the crew possessed extensive experience using the ultrasound equipment to track physiological changes in the human body. "When we had this emergency, the ultrasound machine came in super handy," he stated emphatically.
Advocating for Ultrasound on All Future Space Missions
The Crew-11 pilot went so far as to advocate that all forthcoming spaceflights should be equipped with portable ultrasound machines. "Of course, we didn't have other big machines that we have here on planet Earth," Fincke acknowledged. He emphasised the importance of preparation, noting: "We do try to make sure that everybody before we fly are really, really not prone to surprises. But sometimes things happen and surprises happen, and the team was ready … preparation was super important."
Prior to the crew's departure, NASA's chief health and medical officer, Dr James Polk, had indicated that the affected astronaut remained "absolutely stable" and clarified that this did not constitute an "emergent evacuation." Dr Polk added: "We're not immediately disembarking and getting the astronaut down, but it leaves that lingering risk and lingering question as to what that diagnosis is, and that means there is some lingering risk for that astronaut onboard."
NASA's Continued Reticence and Ultrasound Applications
NASA has maintained extreme discretion regarding the specifics of the medical emergency, including which crew member might have been affected. However, Fincke's recent comments provide the first substantial indication of what potentially transpired aboard the orbiting laboratory.
The International Space Station has been equipped since 2011 with a modified commercial ultrasound device known as Ultrasound 2. This apparatus serves dual purposes in both biomedical research and routine health assessments. Ultrasound technology operates by transmitting soundwaves into the body and recording their reflections, enabling non-invasive internal examination as sound travels at varying speeds through different tissue types.
Primary Medical Concerns in Microgravity Environments
In the unique conditions of spaceflight, Ultrasound 2 typically addresses two principal medical issues:
- Cardiovascular Monitoring: In microgravity, blood tends to migrate upward from astronauts' lower extremities, accumulating around the head and chest. This physiological shift substantially increases the risk of developing potentially life-threatening blood clots that could migrate to the heart or lungs. A notable incident occurred in 2020 when a NASA astronaut developed a significant clot in the internal jugular vein during spaceflight, requiring careful management of limited blood thinner supplies.
- Ocular Health Surveillance: Fluid accumulation in the head can induce swelling that triggers spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome. This condition involves increased pressure around the optic nerve, causing swelling in the connection between eye and brain, along with flattening of the eye's posterior segment. These changes can result in blurred vision and potential long-term visual impairment. Consequently, ISS astronauts perform monthly ocular scans using Ultrasound 2 to monitor this condition.
Crew Reflections on Emergency Preparedness
NASA's Zena Cardman, who commanded the crew's early return flight with SpaceX, remarked that the space station is configured as effectively as possible for medical contingencies. She affirmed that NASA "made all the right decisions" in cancelling the planned spacewalk—which would have marked her first—and prioritising crew welfare.
Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui expressed surprise at how effectively preflight training prepared the crew for managing health concerns. "We can handle any kind of difficult situation," Yui stated. "This is actually very, very good experience for the future of human spaceflight."
The historic evacuation underscores the evolving challenges of maintaining human health during extended space missions and highlights the growing importance of advanced medical technologies in supporting astronauts' wellbeing beyond Earth's atmosphere.
