NASA has confirmed the timeline for its first medical evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS) following a serious health issue affecting an astronaut. The U.S. space agency announced on social media that the crew’s departure is planned for no earlier than 17:00 EST on January 14, 2024, with a targeted landing near California on the morning of January 15, 2024, contingent on weather and recovery conditions.
During a briefing on Thursday, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated, “After discussions with chief health and medical officer Dr. James Polk and leadership across the agency, I’ve come to the decision that it’s in the best interest of our astronauts to return Crew-11 ahead of their planned departure.” This marks a significant moment in the 25-year history of the ISS, as it will be the first medical evacuation conducted from the facility.
The astronaut’s specific medical issue remains undisclosed, reflecting the agency’s commitment to patient privacy. “This was a serious medical condition,” Isaacman emphasized, indicating the urgency behind the decision. Consequently, NASA has also canceled its first spacewalk of the year.
Dr. Polk further clarified that while the astronaut is stable, the situation does not qualify as an emergency evacuation. He stated, “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.”
Crew-11, which includes U.S. commander Zena Cardman, arrived at the ISS via a SpaceX capsule in August. The crew also comprises NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. Meanwhile, three other crew members—U.S. astronaut Chris Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Mikayev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov—will continue their missions aboard the station.
As the ISS ages, NASA has outlined plans to decommission the space station by late 2030 or early 2031 due to its high operational costs. The agency remains focused on ensuring the safety and health of its astronauts as it navigates this unprecedented situation.
