Is NASA about to end an ISS mission early? Inside the medical scare aboard the space station
NASA weighs early return after medical issue on space station
NASA is actively evaluating all options, including the possibility of bringing astronauts home early from the International Space Station (ISS), after a medical concern involving a crew member forced the agency to postpone a scheduled spacewalk. The development has drawn global attention, as ending a mission early would be highly unusual for long-duration spaceflight.
The agency confirmed the affected astronaut is stable, but officials stressed that safety remains the top priority as mission managers assess next steps for SpaceX Crew-11, currently nearing the end of a planned six-month stay in orbit.
Spacewalk Postponed as NASA Cites Medical Concern
On Wednesday, NASA announced it was postponing a spacewalk scheduled for January 8, citing a “medical concern” affecting one of the astronauts aboard the ISS. While the agency declined to identify the crew member or disclose details of the condition due to medical privacy rules, it emphasized that the situation is under control.
In an update issued early Thursday, NASA said it was continuing to monitor the crewmember while evaluating whether the mission should conclude earlier than planned.
“Safely conducting our missions is our highest priority,” NASA said, adding that such scenarios are ones the agency and its partners train extensively to handle.
Who Is on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 Mission?
Crew-11 arrived at the International Space Station on August 2, 2025, as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The four-person team includes:
- Zena Cardman (NASA), mission commander
- Michael “Mike” Fincke (NASA), pilot
- Kimiya Yui (JAXA), mission specialist
- Oleg Platonov (Roscosmos), mission specialist
The postponed spacewalk was set to be conducted by Cardman and Fincke to continue preparations for a new solar array installation, a key upgrade to the station’s power systems.
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Why an Early Return Would Be Unusual
ISS crew rotations typically last about six months, and Crew-11 was already in the final phase of its mission. However, returning astronauts home before a replacement crew arrives would be rare and logistically complex.
NASA officials noted that Crew-11 was expected to remain aboard the station until Crew-12 launches in mid-February, meaning an early return would slightly shorten, but not dramatically disrupt, the mission timeline.
Medical Issues in Space: What NASA Reveals, and What It Doesn’t
NASA has a long-standing policy of not disclosing specific medical details about astronauts during active missions. Historically, many health issues encountered in space, such as space adaptation syndrome, blood flow changes, or rare conditions like jugular venous thrombosis, have only been discussed later through scientific studies.
In a recent example, one astronaut from SpaceX Crew-8 was hospitalized after returning to Earth in October 2024 following an unspecified medical issue, with NASA confirming only that the individual was stable.
Other Astronauts Remain Aboard the ISS
In addition to Crew-11, three other astronauts are currently living on the ISS:
- Christopher Williams (NASA)
- Sergey Kud-Sverchkov (Roscosmos)
- Sergei Mikayev (Roscosmos)
They arrived aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in late November and are not believed to be affected by the current situation.
What Happens Next for NASA and the ISS
NASA says further updates will be provided within 24 hours as mission managers assess medical data and operational risks. For now, the agency is balancing caution with continuity, ensuring astronaut safety while minimizing disruption to ISS operations.
The situation underscores the unpredictable challenges of long-duration spaceflight, even as human presence in orbit approaches its third decade.
FAQ
Why is NASA considering bringing astronauts home early?
NASA is evaluating an early return after a medical concern affected one astronaut aboard the International Space Station, prompting safety reviews.
Is the astronaut in danger?
No. NASA has confirmed the crew member is stable, though the agency is continuing medical monitoring.
Which astronaut is affected?
NASA has not identified the astronaut, citing medical privacy policies.
What mission is involved?
The situation involves SpaceX Crew-11, which launched to the ISS in August 2025.
Why was the ISS spacewalk postponed?
The spacewalk was postponed as a precaution due to the medical concern, to avoid unnecessary risk during extravehicular activity.
How long do ISS missions usually last?
Most ISS crew rotations last around six months, though extensions or early returns can occur in rare cases.
Has NASA handled medical issues in space before?
Yes. NASA has managed various medical situations during space missions, many of which are documented later through scientific research rather than real-time disclosures.
Will ISS operations be affected?
At this time, ISS operations continue normally, with NASA carefully evaluating mission timelines and crew safety.