NASA is evaluating the possibility of an early return for the Crew-11 team from the International Space Station (ISS) due to a medical concern involving an unidentified astronaut. The agency canceled a planned spacewalk on Thursday (January 8) as a precautionary measure. The affected astronaut is in stable condition, and NASA is prioritizing the safety of its missions while exploring all options.
The Crew-11 team, consisting of U.S. astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, has been aboard the ISS since August. The crew was initially scheduled to return in May. The spacewalk, which Cardman and Fincke were set to conduct, aimed to install hardware outside the station.
NASA has not disclosed which crew member is experiencing the medical issue. However, Yui was heard requesting a private medical conference with a flight surgeon, a routine procedure during station operations. It remains unclear if Yui is the astronaut with the medical concern.
If NASA decides on an early return, the ISS would temporarily operate with a reduced crew of three, including NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikaev. Crew-12, which is in the final stages of training, is scheduled to launch in mid-February.
NASA has never ended an ISS mission early due to a medical emergency, although spacewalks have been postponed for minor issues in the past. The agency plans to provide an update on the situation within 24 hours.
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