NASA Postpones ISS Spacewalk as Astronaut Returns Early Due to Medical Issue.
NASA has postponed a scheduled spacewalk on the International Space Station (ISS) after a medical issue arose with an unidentified crew member on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The astronaut is expected to return to Earth “in the coming days,” marking the first time in 25 years that NASA has cut short a mission for medical reasons.
The space agency emphasized that the astronaut’s condition is stable and that crew safety remains the top priority. Due to medical privacy protocols, no further details about the crew member or the nature of the issue have been released.
Spacewalk Objectives on Hold
US Spacewalk 94, planned for Thursday, was to last approximately 6.5 hours. Astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman were scheduled to prepare the ISS’s 2A power channel for installing the final roll-out solar arrays (iROSAs), which will enhance power for station operations and its eventual deorbit. The spacewalk also included microbial sampling near the Quest airlock to monitor contamination risks.
Mission Adjustments
The delay affects the first of two January spacewalks, with US 95 scheduled for January 15 to replace cameras, install navigational aids, and upgrade fluid systems. NASA temporarily took ISS live feeds offline before the announcement.
The agency is assessing all options, including an early conclusion to the SpaceX Crew-11 mission. “Safely conducting our missions is our highest priority, and we are actively evaluating all options,” NASA said, promising updates within 24 hours.
Medical Risks in Space
Though rare, medical emergencies in microgravity pose unique challenges, such as fluid shifts and clotting risks. With upcoming departures of SpaceX CRS-33 Dragon on January 21 and Japan’s HTV-X on January 28, station maintenance timelines are becoming tighter. NASA assured that onboard medical facilities and monitoring continue to remain robust.
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