NASA conducts first-ever emergency medical evacuation from the International Space Station.

(CLO) In an unprecedented decision, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced the shortening of a crew's mission on the International Space Station (ISS) due to an unexpected health situation.

According to an announcement on January 8th, the group of four astronauts from the United States, Japan, and Russia will return to Earth in the next few days, earlier than originally planned.

In response to this incident, NASA was forced to cancel the first spacewalk of the year. To protect privacy, the identity and details of the astronaut involved were not disclosed. However, NASA confirmed that the individual's health is now stable.

Illustrative image.

While emphasizing that this was not an immediate emergency on the station, Dr. James Polk, NASA's Chief Medical Officer, explained that they "are taking prudent measures for the safety of the crew members." He also stated that this was the first time NASA had conducted a medical evacuation from the space station, although astronauts had previously been treated for minor issues such as toothaches or earaches in orbit.

The returning crew approached the ISS last August aboard a SpaceX spacecraft, intending to work in orbit for a minimum of six months. The team includes astronauts Zena Cardman (NASA) and Oleg Platonov (Russia), Mike Fincke (NASA), and Kimiya Yui (Japan).

According to the original plan, astronauts Fincke and Cardman were to conduct a spacewalk to prepare for the installation of new solar panels, aimed at increasing the station's energy capacity.

Prior to this swift response, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated: "I am proud of the rapid efforts across the agency so far to ensure the safety of our astronauts."

Currently, the ISS still has three other astronauts continuing their work: Chris Williams (NASA), Sergei Mikaev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov (Russia). They arrived at the station last November aboard a Soyuz rocket for an 8-month mission and are expected to return to Earth next summer.

Source: https://congluan.vn/nasa-lan-dau-so-tan-y-te-khan-cap-tu-tram-vu-tru-quoc-te-10326249.html