A NASA astronaut remained hospitalized following the delayed return of a four-person crew from the International Space Station. The crew of NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, splashed down off the coast of Pensacola, Florida. All four were flown to Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola for medical evaluation, with one astronaut remaining hospitalized in stable condition as a precaution due to a medical issue. The other three have returned to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The crew’s SpaceX Dragon capsule, which undocked from the space station, experienced a normal reentry into Earth’s atmosphere and landing without incident. The astronauts spent eight months on the space station, two months longer than expected, with a normal mission lasting six months. It can take days or weeks for astronauts to adjust back to gravity after living in space. The crew was delayed by Hurricane Helene and issues with the Boeing Starliner, which returned to Earth last month without its crew.
The Boeing Starliner crew will remain at the space station until February and then return home in a SpaceX capsule that launched with two empty seats. Originally expected to stay for a week, the crew members will also stay at the space station for eight months. NASA officials stated that the crew is doing well, despite the unexpected extension of their mission. SpaceX has been praised as a great partner in the space station program, with the agency expressing gratitude to Ascension Sacred Heart for their support during this time.
Specific details on the hospitalized astronaut’s condition or identity have not been shared to protect their medical privacy, according to NASA. The agency also mentioned that they are proud of their team for ensuring the safety of the crew during the splashdown. The crew’s return to Earth was successful, with no issues during reentry or landing. The remaining astronaut will continue to be monitored as they recover from the medical issue that caused the hospitalization. The crew’s journey back from the International Space Station was marked by delays and challenges, but they have now returned safely and are receiving the necessary medical attention and support.
