NASA Cancels Spacewalk Due to Crew Medical Concern

A scheduled spacewalk outside the International Space Station was abruptly canceled on Wednesday due to a medical concern involving a crew member, according to a statement from NASA. The spacewalk was set for Thursday, but late updates indicated that the agency is considering “all options,” which may include an earlier conclusion to Crew 11‘s mission.

NASA has not disclosed the identity of the affected astronaut or the specific nature of the medical issue, adhering to privacy protocols. However, the agency confirmed that the situation is stable and involves a single crew member. “These are the situations NASA and our partners train for and prepare to execute safely,” the statement read. Further updates are expected within the next 24 hours.

Crew 11, led by commander Zena Cardman, includes veteran astronaut Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. The team launched to the space station aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle on August 1, 2023, and is anticipated to remain in orbit until their replacements arrive in mid-February. The current timeline suggests that Crew 11’s return to Earth is scheduled around February 20, 2024.

The planned spacewalk was intended to make significant progress on constructing a truss to support new solar arrays and carry out maintenance tasks. A second spacewalk, featuring two yet-to-be-named astronauts, is still planned for next week, but the immediate focus is on addressing the medical issue.

NASA’s communication with the crew on Wednesday included a request from Yui for a private medical conference call with mission control. In a brief exchange, he inquired about the availability of a flight surgeon and requested a camera view from inside the station. The response indicated that internal camera feeds were not available, but a view from the lab could be provided.

Subsequent to these discussions, the audio stream from the space station, typically available to the public via YouTube, unexpectedly went silent. NASA has not provided an explanation for this interruption.

As the situation unfolds, NASA emphasizes its commitment to the safety of its crew and the continuation of their mission objectives. Further details regarding the upcoming spacewalk and the crew member’s condition are anticipated in the coming hours.