Health
Medical Evacuation Brings ISS Crew Home Early
Health Points
- A medical issue prompted an early return from the ISS for four astronauts weeks ahead of schedule.
- NASA has not disclosed which astronaut or the specific condition but says the crew is stable and receiving excellent care.
- The early return allows for thorough medical assessments and recovery back on Earth.
A medical issue on the International Space Station has led to an early return for NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, Kimiya Yui, and Oleg Platonov, landing weeks ahead of their original schedule. The specific astronaut and health concern remain private, but NASA confirms the crew is stable and receiving excellent care.
“First and foremost, we are all OK,”
Fincke shared on LinkedIn.
The mission, originally set for six months, marks the first medical-driven early return in the ISS’s 25-year history. This careful decision allows for more thorough medical assessments on Earth.
- Returning to gravity can cause balance issues, muscle weakness, and nausea as the body readjusts.
- Spaceflight affects astronauts’ bones, muscles, immune systems, and even their height, all of which can take months to return to normal.
- Vision and heart changes in space mimic some effects of aging, according to NASA research.
What Astronauts Encounter When Coming Home
After time in microgravity, astronauts cope with bone and muscle loss, shifts in brain position, and diminished immunity. Maintaining daily exercise routines and gradual recovery help manage these health challenges back on Earth.
Explore more about what astronauts experience on their journey home—and how they adapt to life after space travel.
