Nasa has announced it will carry out the first medical evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS) in its 25-year history after an astronaut developed a “serious” but undisclosed medical condition. The space agency said the crew of four will depart the ISS no earlier than 5pm EST on Wednesday, 14 January, with a targeted landing near California early on Thursday, 15 January, weather permitting.
The decision to bring Crew-11 back ahead of schedule was made after consultations with Nasa’s chief health and medical officer, Dr James Polk, and agency leadership. “This was a serious medical condition,” said Nasa administrator Jared Isaacman. “That is why we’re pursuing this path.” The astronaut has not been identified, and the specific medical issue has not been disclosed, citing patient privacy.
Dr Polk emphasised that the evacuation is not an emergency, as the astronaut is stable. However, he noted, “There is some lingering risk for that astronaut onboard.” Crew-11, commanded by US astronaut Zena Cardman, arrived at the ISS on a SpaceX capsule in August. The group also includes Nasa’s Mike Fincke, Japan’s Kimiya Yui, and Russia’s Oleg Platonov.
Three other astronauts—US astronaut Chris Williams and Russians Sergei Mikayev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov—will remain on the station. Nasa plans to deorbit the ageing and costly ISS by late 2030 or early 2031.
