PHOENIX — A medical issue with an astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS) has led to the postponement of a scheduled spacewalk. This could also mean an early return for part of the crew.
NASA announced on January 7 that they were delaying the spacewalk originally planned for January 8 due to a “medical concern” affecting one crew member. The agency noted that while the situation is stable, privacy rules prevented them from sharing more details.
In a subsequent update, NASA indicated that the matter might be more serious. They emphasized that the safety of their missions is a top priority and are evaluating all options, including the possibility of ending Crew-11’s mission early. They plan to provide more information within 24 hours.
Crew-11, which launched on August 1 via a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, is led by astronaut Zena Cardman. Along with her are pilot Mike Fincke, mission specialists Kimiya Yui from Japan, and Oleg Platonov from Russia.
Originally, Crew-11 was set to remain on the ISS until at least mid-February, when the next crew, Crew-12, is scheduled to arrive. NASA did not specify whether the astronaut who is experiencing the medical issue was set to participate in the postponed spacewalk.
Preparations for the January 8 spacewalk had begun earlier that day, with Cardman and Fincke organizing their tools. Yui and astronaut Chris Williams were also reviewing procedures for the spacewalk. During the day, Yui requested a private medical conference with a flight surgeon, a standard procedure for discussing health concerns aboard the ISS. It is unclear if this was related to the current medical issue.
Historically, NASA has never ended an ISS mission early due to a medical emergency, although there have been delays in spacewalks for minor issues. If Crew-11 is forced to return home early, the ISS would operate with a three-person crew for a time.
Crew-12 is preparing for its upcoming launch, which was pushed from late March to mid-February to allow for Artemis 2 mission preparations. Crew-12 includes NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and Jessica Meir, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, who stepped in after Oleg Artemyev was replaced due to a training issue.
Interestingly, while most ISS missions last around six months, Crew-12 could stay for up to eight months. Adenot indicated her readiness for this extended mission, and flight surgeons believe it is achievable. “Everyone agrees that it is doable,” she said. “So let’s do it.”
As of now, NASA is focusing on ensuring the safety of all crew members aboard the ISS while addressing any medical concerns. For more updates, keep an eye on NASA’s [official website](https://www.nasa.gov/iss).
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