Four astronauts returned safely back from Earth. They were brought down from the International Space Station (ISS) during a forced evacuation due to a critical medical condition. Their unlikely comeback marks a new milestone in human spaceflight. This will be the first evacuation of its kind since the ISS first launched into orbit in 1998.
The crew docked with the ISS on August 1, starting what was intended to be a six-and-a-half-month mission. Their abode was reduced by a month because of worries about their wellness. The mission team faced with that choice reached the right call for the crew, which is why the unprecedented evacuation occurred.
What was referred to as the medical issue of the astronauts led to immediate action — cancelling an upcoming, planned spacewalk last minute. This choice served to further emphasize the gravity of the situation and stress the importance of health and safety in the world of space missions.
After landing, the astronauts received extensive medical checks to make sure the emergency procedure hadn’t harmed them after the fact. At the door they were met by a regiment of support teams who nursed their bruised psyches and bodies into care as well as home while avoiding explosive complications. The quick, effective response to this medical emergency clearly exemplifies the dedication of space agencies (including NASA) to the health and safety of all astronauts during missions.
Both for short- and long-duration space missions, this event highlights key questions around medical preparedness that the US needs to be asking ourselves. Scientists stress the need for ongoing monitoring and health evaluation for subsequent missions. This is mission-critical now more than ever as missions continue traveling further into space.
