NASA Will Return Crew-11 from the ISS Faster Due to Medical Problems

NASA will return Crew-11 members earlier than the schedule. This decision was made due to a 'medical problem' faced by one of the members.

The four crew members who were on the International Space Station (ISS) were targeted to return home as soon as January 14. This is the first medical evacuation that NASA has carried out in 25 years of ISS operations.

This health problem has been confirmed directly by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, but it has not been explained who the astronaut is and what medical problems he has. However, the condition of the entire crew is confirmed to be in a stable state.

"For the best interests of our astronauts, Crew-11 must be repatriated earlier than their departure schedule," Isaacman said at a NASA press conference, quoted by NBC on Monday, January 12.

Crew-11 is made up of NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. They were supposed to stay on the ISS until the end of February this year.

NASA Chief Medical Officer JD Polk explained that this evacuation was not a critical state procedure. This decision is an anticipatory step so that astronauts can get a thorough examination that cannot be done in space.

Polk also explained that medical equipment on the ISS is not as complete as the facilities in hospitals on Earth. Therefore, an early return is needed so that in-depth medical examinations can be carried out immediately.

In line with the accelerated return of Crew-11, NASA is now evaluating the launch plan for Crew-12 missions. They plan to launch their mission faster than the previously scheduled schedule, namely mid-February.