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NASA has postponed what would have been the first spacewalk of 2026 aboard the
International Space Station (ISS) after a “medical concern” involving a Crew-11
astronaut, raising questions about mission timelines, astronaut health in orbit, and
the potential for an early return of SpaceX’s Crew-11 mission.
The U.S. space agency confirmed late Wednesday that it is actively evaluating all
options, including the possibility of ending the Crew-11 mission earlier than
planned, as flight surgeons and mission managers continue to closely monitor the
situation.
“Safely conducting our missions is our highest priority,” NASA said in a statement
shortly after midnight Thursday. “We are actively evaluating all options, including
the possibility of an earlier end to Crew-11’s mission. These are the situations NASA
and our partners train for and prepare to execute safely.”
Spacewalk Delayed as Precaution
The announcement came hours after NASA revealed it was postponing a scheduled
extravehicular activity (EVA), also known as a spacewalk, that was planned for
Thursday morning. Two NASA astronauts, veteran Mike Fincke and first-time
spacewalker Zena Cardman, were set to spend approximately 6.5 hours outside the
ISS in what was designated U.S. spacewalk 94.
The agency described the issue only as a “medical concern” involving a single crew
member who is currently stable. In line with longstanding policy, NASA did not
identify the astronaut or provide further medical details.
“Due to medical privacy, it is not appropriate for NASA to share more details about
the crew member,” the agency said. “The situation is stable, and NASA will share
additional details, including a new date for the upcoming spacewalk, later.”
Crew-11 Mission Under Review
The Crew-11 mission launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Florida in
August and was originally scheduled to conclude around May 2026. The four-
person crew includes NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Japan
Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian
cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.
NASA officials are now weighing whether the mission should end earlier than
planned, depending on how the medical situation evolves. An early return could
trigger significant scheduling changes for the ISS, including delays to spacewalks,
cargo departures, and upcoming crew rotations.
The next planned human spaceflight to the ISS is SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission,
currently scheduled to launch no earlier than Feb. 15, 2026. It remains unclear
whether NASA could coordinate with SpaceX and international partners to
accelerate that launch if Crew-11 must return sooner.
ISS Live Feeds Taken Offline
Roughly an hour before publicly acknowledging the medical issue, NASA
temporarily took offline its two live ISS video feeds, including the air-to-ground
audio communications channel. While the agency did not directly link the decision
to the medical situation, such steps are uncommon and often coincide with
sensitive onboard operations.
NASA later restored its communications systems and reiterated that the crew
member involved remains stable.
What the Spacewalk Was Meant to Accomplish
The postponed EVA was a critical step in preparing the ISS for future power
upgrades. Fincke and Cardman were scheduled to prepare the station’s 2A power
channel for the installation of the final pair of International Space Station Roll-Out
Solar Arrays (iROSAs), which are expected to launch sometime in 2026.
“These upgrades are essential to maintaining the station’s power capabilities as it
approaches the final phase of its operational life,” said Bill Spetch, operations
integration manager for NASA’s ISS Program.
Once installed, the new solar arrays will support not only daily station operations
but also preparations for the ISS’s eventual controlled deorbit, currently planned
for around 2030.
In addition to power system work, the astronauts were to collect microbial samples
by swabbing five locations around the Quest airlock. The study aims to better
understand how microorganisms behave in areas where air exits the station—data
that could inform future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars.
A Milestone Moment for Two Astronauts
The spacewalk carried special significance for both astronauts.
For Zena Cardman, a 38-year-old geobiologist selected to NASA’s astronaut corps
in 2017, it would have been her first spacewalk. For Mike Fincke, a NASA astronaut
since 1996, the EVA would have marked his 10th career spacewalk, making him just
the sixth American astronaut to reach that milestone.
Cardman and Fincke were to be assisted in donning their spacesuits by JAXA
astronaut Kimiya Yui and NASA astronaut Chris Williams inside the station.
Impact on Upcoming Spacewalks and Cargo Missions
The delay introduces uncertainty into an already tightly packed ISS schedule.
Another EVA, U.S. spacewalk 95, was scheduled for Jan. 15. That spacewalk is
intended to replace a high-definition camera near port 3, install a new navigational
aid known as a planar reflector on the Harmony module, and relocate several
ammonia service jumpers on the station’s truss.
“These jumpers add redundancy to our power and cooling systems,” Spetch
explained. “They allow us to recover from failures more quickly and keep the
station operating safely.”
The timing is especially critical because NASA plans to have a SpaceX Cargo
Dragon spacecraft perform its final scheduled boost of the ISS before undocking
later in January. That Dragon, which launched on the CRS-33 mission in August
2025, is set to depart on Jan. 21, followed by the unberthing of Japan’s HTV-X
cargo vehicle on Jan. 27.
With the first spacewalk postponed, it is unclear whether NASA will have enough
time to complete one or both EVAs before those vehicles must leave.
Medical Issues in Space: Rare but Serious
NASA rarely discloses details about astronaut medical issues, even after missions
conclude. Most information about health challenges in space becomes public years
later through scientific studies and academic journals.
One well-known example is space adaptation syndrome, which can cause nausea,
vomiting, and vertigo during the first days in microgravity. While common, it was
not fully understood until decades after the start of human spaceflight.
In another case, an astronaut experienced jugular venous thrombosis—a
potentially dangerous blood clot—while in orbit. The incident was revealed only
through medical research, and the astronaut’s identity has never been publicly
disclosed.
More recently, following the return of SpaceX’s Crew-8 mission in October 2024,
one astronaut was hospitalized in Florida due to a “medical issue.” NASA confirmed
the crew member was stable but provided no further information, and their
identity remains unknown.
Spacewalks Are High-Risk Operations
Extravehicular activities are among the most physically demanding and risky tasks
astronauts perform. Spacewalks require months of training, precise choreography,
and constant communication with mission control.
Astronauts must maneuver bulky spacesuits, manage limited oxygen supplies, and
remain tethered to the ISS while working in the vacuum of space.
NASA has previously canceled spacewalks at the last minute for safety reasons. In
2024, a planned EVA was scrubbed due to “spacesuit discomfort.” In 2021,
astronaut Mark Vande Hei called off a spacewalk because of a pinched nerve.
Given those risks, medical readiness is considered non-negotiable.
What Happens Next?
NASA said it will provide an update within 24 hours regarding the crew member’s
condition and the status of the postponed spacewalk. The agency is also expected
to announce revised dates for EVA-94 and EVA-95 once mission managers
determine it is safe to proceed.
For now, the Crew-11 astronauts remain aboard the ISS, continuing routine
operations while medical teams on the ground closely monitor the situation.
The incident underscores a reality of human spaceflight: even with decades of
experience, advanced technology, and rigorous training, unexpected medical
situations can still arise hundreds of miles above Earth.
As NASA prepares for future missions deeper into space, including Artemis lunar
expeditions and eventual journeys to Mars, how agencies manage medical risks in
orbit remains one of the most critical challenges of exploration.
