Nasa astronauts return from space station after medical evacuation
Nasa astronauts splash down after medical evacuation from International Space Station
- A Nasa astronaut has returned to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) more than a month early due to an unspecified medical issue.
- This marks the first time Nasa has ended an ISS mission prematurely for medical reasons, though officials stressed it was not an emergency.
- The ailing astronaut, whose identity and health concern remain undisclosed due to medical privacy, was accompanied by three other crew members, including Nasa’s Zena Cardman.
- The decision was made to allow the astronaut to receive proper care and diagnostic testing on Earth after falling ill or being injured on 7 January.
- The early return leaves the ISS with a reduced crew, and no spacewalks can be performed until the next crew arrives, currently targeted for mid-February.