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one NASA Astronaut with unknown health issues returns to Earth space agency A medical evacuation operation to the International Space Station was initiated.
The sick astronaut, whose identity and health remains unknown, returned with three other mission members, ending the mission more than a month early.
This is the first time NASA has been forced to end its stay on the International Space Station early for medical reasons.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the affected crew members were “fine” and the agency would share an update on their status in due course.
“It’s great to be home,” said capsule commander Zena Cardman, a NASA astronaut.
The mission that began in August ended unexpectedly, leaving the orbiting laboratory with only one American and two Russians on board.
NASA and SpaceX said they will work to speed up the launch of four new astronauts; the current target is mid-February.
NASA’s Zena Cadman and Mike Fink return along with Japan’s Yui Kimiya and Russia’s Oleg Platonov.
Officials declined to identify the astronaut who suffered the health issue or explain what happened, citing medical privacy.
While the astronauts are stable in orbit, NASA wants them to return to Earth as soon as possible to receive appropriate care and diagnostic testing.
No special changes or accommodations were required for entry and splashdown, and the rescue ship was staffed with the usual medical experts, officials said.
It’s unclear when astronaut will fly from California to their headquarters in Houston. The circumstances of Platonov’s return to Moscow are also unclear.
NASA has repeatedly stressed over the past week that this is not an emergency. On January 7, the astronaut became ill or injured, prompting NASA to cancel the next day of Cadman and Finck’s spacewalk, ultimately leading to an early return.
This is the first time NASA has shortened a space flight for medical reasons. The Russians did this decades ago.
The space station has previously carried three astronauts and sometimes only two.
NASA said a spacewalk, even in an emergency, would not be possible until the next group of astronauts arrives, including two Americans, a Frenchman and a Russian cosmonaut.
Agency’s Supplementary Report