CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Last week, astronauts evacuated the International Space Station due to a medical issue. This marked NASA’s first medical evacuation in 65 years of human spaceflight.
During their recent press conference, the crew, consisting of four astronauts, kept details about the medical situation private. They highlighted the importance of a portable ultrasound machine, which proved invaluable when a medical emergency arose on January 7—just one day before a scheduled spacewalk.
Mike Fincke, one of the astronauts, noted how familiar they had become with the ultrasound device through routine checks. “When the emergency hit, it really helped,” he said. He strongly advocated for having an ultrasound on every spaceflight, acknowledging its crucial role in their swift response.
Zena Cardman, who led the team back to Earth with SpaceX, remarked that NASA’s quick decision to cancel the spacewalk prioritized crew safety. “We made all the right choices,” she stated confidently.
Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui shared his surprise at how well their preflight training equipped them to tackle unexpected health concerns. “This experience is great for the future of human spaceflight,” he explained.
The mission lasted 5.5 months, ending with their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego. Although it was shorter than planned, the team felt prepared thanks to extensive training and the valuable ultrasound technology.
As space missions continue to become more ambitious, the integration of advanced medical tools may be critical. Recent studies show that medical emergencies are more common in long-duration flights. According to a report from NASA, the potential for such issues can be as high as 20% on missions lasting several months.
The astronauts were welcomed back to Houston by their successors, who are set to launch in mid-February. Fincke humorously remarked, “We were hoping to hug them in space, but we settled for Earth instead.”
For further insights, you can find more information on NASA’s ongoing research on medical readiness in space missions in their official report.
