UPDATE: NASA has confirmed a medical situation involving a crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS) that has forced the postponement of a critical spacewalk. The agency revealed that while the crew member is currently stable, the Crew-11 mission could conclude earlier than scheduled.
Just announced, NASA stated, “Safely conducting our missions is our highest priority, and we are actively evaluating all options, including the possibility of an earlier end to Crew-11’s mission.” The agency emphasized that such situations are part of their training and preparedness protocols, ensuring crew safety is paramount. Further updates are expected within the next 24 hours.
The medical concern emerged on Wednesday afternoon, prompting NASA to make the difficult decision to delay the planned spacewalk involving veteran astronaut Mike Fincke and flight engineer Zena Cardman. Due to privacy regulations, NASA has not disclosed specific details about the medical issue.
Crew-11, which launched from Kennedy Space Center on August 1, 2024, includes a total of four astronauts: Zena Cardman, Michael Fincke, Kimiya Yui from JAXA, and Oleg Platonov from Roscosmos. They were originally scheduled to remain on the ISS until the arrival of Crew-12, expected no earlier than February 15, 2026. However, NASA has previously returned crews ahead of schedule when necessary.
Currently, the ISS is also home to three additional astronauts: Chris Williams from NASA and cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikaev from Roscosmos, who arrived on a Soyuz spacecraft in November 2024.
The situation remains fluid, and NASA’s commitment to safety underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and assessment. As the agency navigates this unexpected challenge, all eyes are on the ISS, where the health and safety of the crew are of utmost concern.
Stay tuned for updates as NASA continues to evaluate the impact of this medical incident on the Crew-11 mission.
