WASHINGTON: A NASA astronaut was hospitalized Friday after returning from an eight-month mission on the International Space Station (ISS). NASA has withheld the astronaut’s name and the specific health issue for privacy.
The astronaut landed off Florida’s coast aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, accompanied by two other NASA astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut. The spacecraft, part of SpaceX’s ongoing missions to the ISS, completed a delayed return due to recent hurricanes near Florida’s splashdown zones. After exiting Crew Dragon, all four crew members were taken to a nearby medical center for routine evaluations and additional checks.
NASA later confirmed only one astronaut required further observation and was flown to Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola hospital. The other three crew members have since returned to Houston.
NASA Statement on Astronaut’s Condition
NASA stated that the astronaut in question remains in stable condition under observation. A statement from the agency noted the hospitalization was a precautionary step, adding, “out of an abundance of caution, all crew members were flown to the facility together.” NASA has declined to reveal further details, and Russia’s space agency did not comment on the Russian cosmonaut’s condition.
The Crew-8 astronauts spent 235 days on the ISS, marking an extended mission beyond the usual six-month stay. This mission was also the longest for SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which has been active since 2020. SpaceX, currently NASA’s only option for crewed ISS missions, has completed 44 trips to the space station. Boeing’s Starliner, intended as a backup, has faced delays due to developmental issues.
Technical Issues During Splashdown
The Crew Dragon’s return, however, encountered minor parachute issues. Richard Jones, NASA’s Deputy Manager of the Commercial Crew Program, explained that one of Crew Dragon’s initial braking parachutes sustained “debris strikes.” Additionally, one parachute in the second set unfurled slower than expected, though it did not impact the safe landing.
NASA is known for being cautious with astronaut health post-mission. Typically, returning astronauts undergo rigorous medical evaluations due to the strain of extended space missions on the human body. This latest mission extended the stay for Crew-8, highlighting Crew Dragon’s capabilities and its resilience during extended orbital missions.
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