ISS spacewalk delayed: What's wrong with the Crew-11 astronaut and will the mission end early?
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Jan 08, 2026, 23:52 IST
The much-anticipated spacewalk aboard the International Space Station has hit a temporary pause due to a medical concern involving a Crew-11 astronaut. NASA is placing paramount importance on the well-being of its crew members and is evaluating every possible course of action, including a potential premature conclusion to their mission.
NASA has postponed a planned spacewalk on the International Space Station due to a medical concern involving a single member of the Crew-11 mission. The situation is stable, but NASA is actively evaluating all options, including the possibility of ending the mission earlier than planned, with astronaut safety as its highest priority.
The spacewalk, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been delayed while mission teams monitor the crew member's condition. The medical issue emerged Wednesday afternoon, and NASA has declined to provide further details, citing medical privacy. Additional updates and a revised spacewalk timeline are expected within 24 hours.
Crew-11 launched to the ISS in August 2025 for a mission planned to last about six months. While an early return has not been confirmed, officials stated that NASA and its international partners routinely train for medical contingencies in orbit and are prepared to respond.
The Crew-11 mission is integral to NASA's continuous human presence on the ISS. During their time in orbit, the astronauts are conducting scientific research, technology demonstrations, and station maintenance. They are also supporting preparations for future missions. The crew was expected to remain in orbit until mid-February 2026, but this timeline is now under review.
"The situation is stable but confirmed it is actively evaluating all options, including the possibility of ending the Crew-11 mission earlier than planned."
"The agency stressed that astronaut safety remains its highest priority."
"NASA said the medical issue emerged Wednesday afternoon and declined to provide further details, citing medical privacy."
"Additional updates, including a revised timeline for the spacewalk, are expected within the next 24 hours."
"While NASA has not confirmed whether an early return will be required, officials said the agency and its international partners routinely train for medical contingencies in orbit and are prepared to respond as needed."
The spacewalk, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been delayed while mission teams monitor the crew member's condition. The medical issue emerged Wednesday afternoon, and NASA has declined to provide further details, citing medical privacy. Additional updates and a revised spacewalk timeline are expected within 24 hours.
Crew-11 launched to the ISS in August 2025 for a mission planned to last about six months. While an early return has not been confirmed, officials stated that NASA and its international partners routinely train for medical contingencies in orbit and are prepared to respond.
The Crew-11 mission is integral to NASA's continuous human presence on the ISS. During their time in orbit, the astronauts are conducting scientific research, technology demonstrations, and station maintenance. They are also supporting preparations for future missions. The crew was expected to remain in orbit until mid-February 2026, but this timeline is now under review.
"The situation is stable but confirmed it is actively evaluating all options, including the possibility of ending the Crew-11 mission earlier than planned."
"The agency stressed that astronaut safety remains its highest priority."
"NASA said the medical issue emerged Wednesday afternoon and declined to provide further details, citing medical privacy."
"Additional updates, including a revised timeline for the spacewalk, are expected within the next 24 hours."
"While NASA has not confirmed whether an early return will be required, officials said the agency and its international partners routinely train for medical contingencies in orbit and are prepared to respond as needed."