ISS Crew Evacuated for First Time Due to Medical Emergency

For the first time in history, NASA is undertaking an evacuation of the International Space Station (ISS) crew due to a medical emergency. Administrator Jared Isaacman announced that Crew-11 will not complete their scheduled mission, with arrangements for their safe return being finalized within the next 48 hours. This unprecedented decision was made to prioritize the astronauts' well-being after one crew member experienced a medical issue. The astronaut is reportedly stable and receiving care from fellow crewmates, with the condition unrelated to station operations or upcoming spacewalks.

The ISS maintains a built-in evacuation protocol, with crew return vehicles kept on standby for such contingencies. NASA has never before utilized this protocol for medical reasons. The spacewalk initially planned for Thursday was canceled as a precautionary measure. Crew-11, which arrived at the ISS on August 1, 2025, was slated for departure in late February, after the anticipated arrival of Crew-12 around February 15. This early evacuation will not affect the Artemis II mission, scheduled for February 2026.

NASA's chief medical officer, Dr. James Polk, emphasized that the astronaut is not in immediate danger, allowing for careful planning of the return. The necessity of maintaining human presence on the ISS for critical tasks like maintenance, experiments, and life support operations was highlighted. This situation follows recent spacewalk cancellations due to minor health concerns among astronauts, though this marks the first-ever medical evacuation from the station.