NASA has postponed an upcoming spacewalk at the International Space Station due to a “medical concern” related to one of its astronauts. The agency did not disclose the identity of the astronaut involved but later confirmed the situation is stable. NASA emphasized that safely conducting missions is their highest priority and that officials are assessing options, including the potential for an earlier mission conclusion.
Current Situation of NASA’s Crew-11
The spokesperson for NASA stated that updates would be provided within 24 hours. Crew-11, which comprises American astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, JAXA’s Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos’ Oleg Platonov, arrived at the ISS on August 2. This mission is part of the regular staffing rotation at the station, expected to last until at least next month, following the launch of Crew-12 in mid-February.
Spacewalk Plans and Astronauts
The planned spacewalk was intended for Thursday, focusing on preparations for the installation of a new solar array. This would have marked Zena Cardman’s first spacewalk. At 38, she was selected as an astronaut in 2017. Mike Fincke, an experienced astronaut since 1996, was set to conduct his tenth spacewalk, making him the sixth American to achieve this milestone.
Understanding Medical Issues in Space
NASA typically does not disclose specifics regarding astronauts’ medical issues. Information about how spaceflight impacts health is generally published as part of scientific research. Past conditions like space adaptation syndrome, which involves symptoms like vomiting and vertigo, have been extensively studied but often go unmentioned during missions.
Other serious medical incidents have been noted in the past, including cases such as jugular venous thrombosis, though identities have not been revealed. Contingency measures following medical concerns have been implemented, such as the incident after SpaceX’s Crew-8 mission, when a crew member faced a medical issue and was transferred to a Florida hospital.
- Mission Name: Crew-11
- Astronauts: Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, Kimiya Yui, Oleg Platonov
- Arrival Date: August 2
- Previous Missions: Crew-12 launch expected in mid-February
- Potential Spacewalk Issues: Medical stability confirmed
NASA continues to maintain that the health and safety of its crew are of utmost importance as they navigate this situation.
