URGENT UPDATE: A medical emergency aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has prompted NASA to consider an early end to the Crew-11 mission. The situation developed on Wednesday afternoon, forcing the postponement of a scheduled spacewalk and raising significant concerns about the crew’s safety.
NASA officials confirmed that one crew member is now stable but acknowledged that this incident could necessitate an earlier return to Earth than originally planned. “Safely conducting our missions is our highest priority,” NASA stated on its website. “We are actively evaluating all options, including the possibility of an earlier end to Crew-11’s mission.” Further updates are expected within the next 24 hours.
Initially reported as a medical concern, the details surrounding the incident remain confidential due to privacy protocols. NASA emphasized the importance of training for such situations, reflecting their preparedness for unexpected challenges in space.
The Crew-11 team includes four astronauts: commander Zena Cardman, pilot Michael Fincke, Kimiya Yui from JAXA, and Oleg Platonov from Roscosmos. They were scheduled to remain on the ISS until the arrival of Crew-12, anticipated no earlier than February 15, 2026. However, NASA has previously returned crews early, depending on circumstances.
The spacewalk that was postponed was set to feature veteran astronaut Mike Fincke, who is on his fourth space mission, alongside flight engineer Zena Cardman, making her inaugural trip to space. The crew’s return timeline is now uncertain, and their safe arrival at Kennedy Space Center is critical.
Currently, three additional crew members remain aboard the ISS, including NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikaev, who traveled to the station on a Soyuz spacecraft in November.
As this situation unfolds, the global space community is watching closely. The implications of a potential early return for Crew-11 could affect ongoing research and collaborations aboard the ISS. Stay tuned for updates as NASA continues to assess the situation.
