NASA is preparing for the first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS) this week, with Crew-11 astronauts set to return to Earth as early as January 14. While details remain scarce, officials confirm the evacuation isn’t due to injuries and the affected crewmember is stable. 🌌
The four-person team – including astronauts from the U.S., Japan, and Russia – launched on August 1 and was originally scheduled to return in February. Their early departure could accelerate plans for the next U.S. mission to the ISS, though no specifics have been shared yet. 🛰️
Why it matters: This marks a milestone in space operations, testing emergency protocols critical for future Mars missions. American astronaut Chris Williams will stay aboard to maintain U.S. presence, while the ISS continues its role as humanity’s orbital research lab until its planned 2030 retirement.
Fun fact: When the ISS is decommissioned, it’ll make a dramatic final descent to ‘Point Nemo’ – the Pacific Ocean’s spacecraft graveyard. 🌊
