NASA Orders First-Ever Emergency Spaceflight for Astronaut

NASA will bring an astronaut home from the International Space Station early due to a serious medical issue. This marks the first time a U.S. crew member has required an emergency medical evacuation from orbit. The astronaut, whose identity and condition are kept private for medical privacy, will not wait for the next scheduled crew rotation. Instead, they will return on a currently docked SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. This emergency return will happen with the three other members of the astronaut's original mission, Crew-11. That crew launched to the station in August. NASA stated the decision ensures the crew member receives necessary care on Earth. The agency has strict medical protocols for astronauts. A medical evacuation from space is an extremely rare event. The targeted return date is approximately early December. The Crew Dragon spacecraft is designed to serve as a lifeboat for the station and can depart at any time if needed.