NASA hastily returned four astronauts to Earth, the reason behind it

Space X capsule carrying astronauts.

For the first time in history, the US space agency NASA ended the International Space Station (ISS) mission more than a month ahead of schedule due to medical reasons. Last Thursday (January 15), an ailing astronaut and his three colleagues returned to Earth. The SpaceX capsule carrying them successfully landed in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego.

The splashdown was completed less than 11 hours after leaving the ISS. After stepping on Earth, the astronauts were taken to a hospital. There they remained under medical observation overnight.

After the splashdown, NASA's new administrator Jared Isaacman said, "We made this decision (early return) due to a serious medical situation. The ill astronaut is currently doing well, his morale is also good. He is now undergoing necessary medical treatment and tests.

As NASA brought back four astronauts, only one American and two Russian astronauts remain on the ISS. NASA and SpaceX said they will send a new four-member astronaut team to the ISS soon. The new team is expected to begin spaceflight in mid-February.

The astronauts returning to Earth are NASA's Jenna Cardman and Mike Finke, Japan's Kimiya Yue and Russia's Oleg Platonov. However, citing medical confidentiality, the identity of the sick astronaut was not confirmed.

Although the astronaut's condition was stable while in orbit, NASA wanted to bring him back to Earth as quickly as possible for proper treatment and tests. Officials said that no special changes or additional arrangements were required during entry and splashdown.

The astronauts emerged from the capsule one by one within an hour of splashdown. At that time, they waved to the camera. Isaacman monitored the entire operation from Mission Control in Houston, along with the crew's family members.

Source: Science Alert