NASA Brings Sick Astronauts Back to Earth for the First Time

For the first time in its 65-year history of human spaceflight, NASA has taken a historic and sensitive decision to bring four astronauts back to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) under a medical evacuation. Their stay in space ended a month earlier due to a serious medical issue.

The four astronauts returned safely to Earth as part of a rescue operation from the ISS. The crew's captain, NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, was the first to step out of the spacecraft, smiling and slightly unsteady on his feet, before lying on a stretcher as per standard procedures. NASA's Jenna Cardman, Japan's Kimia Yui, and astronaut Oleg Platonov followed, smiling and waving at cameras. Cardman said, "It feels so good to be home!" Notably, since the ISS was established in Earth's orbit in 1998, this is the first time astronauts have been evacuated due to a health issue.

Astronauts from the US, Russia, and Japan

The four astronauts from NASA, Russia, and Japan left the space station on Wednesday and returned early Thursday near San Diego on the Pacific Ocean via a SpaceX capsule. Jenna Cardman expressed emotion, saying, "Our return schedule changed suddenly, but the most beautiful part is that this team cared for each other like a family."

Identity of the Sick Astronaut Not Disclosed

NASA did not disclose the identity of the astronaut requiring medical care. Officials confirmed that the astronaut's condition is stable and safe, and the decision was made carefully to allow better medical evaluation on Earth. NASA emphasized that this was not an emergency, but delaying treatment in space could have been risky, prompting the decision to shorten the mission.