NASA announces unprecedented return of sick ISS astronaut and crew
Live Science••science
Key Points:
- NASA has postponed a planned spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) and announced the early return of its Crew-11 astronauts due to a medical issue affecting one crew member, whose condition is stable.
- The postponed spacewalk, scheduled for Jan. 8, was intended to prepare a power channel for a new solar array installation, with astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman set to participate; this would have been Cardman's first spacewalk.
- NASA has not disclosed the identity or details of the medical issue but emphasized that safety is the agency's highest priority and that they are evaluating options for an earlier mission end.
- Crew-11, which arrived at the ISS on Aug. 2, 2025, includes Fin
