SANA conducted the first evacuation of the International Space Station crew in its history, after a spacewalker suffered a sudden health problem, prompting the agency to end the Crew-11 mission ahead of schedule.
NASA Director, “Jared Isaacman,” said in a press conference held last Thursday that the agency decided not to complete the mission until its scheduled end in February, noting that the details of the crew’s safe return will be determined within the next 48 hours.
Isaacman explained that the decision was made “in the best interest and safety of the astronauts,” stressing that the health condition, which was classified as “serious enough,” called for this exceptional measure.
The decision came less than 24 hours after the cancellation of a spacewalk scheduled for last Thursday, where NASA officials explained that they preferred to take the utmost caution to ensure the safety of the injured astronaut.
NASA’s chief medical officer, Dr. “James Polk,” confirmed that the astronaut is not facing immediate danger, and that his condition is stable and he is receiving medical care from his colleagues on board the station until his return to Earth, noting that the health problem is not related to spacewalking operations or any other operational activity.
“Polk” added, without disclosing medical details, that the condition is “most likely related to zero-gravity conditions,” stressing that there is no need to take special precautions during the waiting period.
The Crew-11 crew consists of four astronauts: “Zena Cardman” and “Mike Fincke” from NASA, Japanese astronaut “Kimiya Yui,” and Russian “Oleg Platonov.”
They were recently joined by Japanese astronaut “Koichi Wakata” and NASA astronaut “Chris Williams,” who arrived at the station aboard the Russian “Soyuz” spacecraft in November 2025.
“Isaacman” explained that “Williams” will remain on board the station with the “Soyuz” crew to ensure the continuation of the American presence in space, in implementation of the continuous operation requirements of the International Space Station.
The NASA Director pointed out that the agency has evacuation plans embedded in all station missions, although it has never had to carry out an actual evacuation for medical reasons, stressing that return vehicles remain in a state of permanent readiness. (Russia Today)
