First Medical Emergency on ISS in 25 Years: NASA Considers Early Return

• A major 'medical emergency' has occurred on the International Space Station (ISS) for the first time in 25 years, causing global concern.
• A spacewalk scheduled for January 8, 2026, was canceled due to the sudden illness of a NASA Crew-11 astronaut; the crew member's condition is now stable.
• NASA is considering bringing the entire Crew-11 back to Earth prematurely, which would be the first mission aborted midway for medical reasons since 2000.
• Astronauts experience 'Space Adaptation Syndrome' initially, but the current Crew-11 issue is reported to be much more serious.
• The ISS has a small 'medical care system' (CHeCS) with essential medicines and equipment, but no facilities for major surgery, making Earth return the only option for severe cases.

Why It Matters: A critical medical emergency on the ISS forces NASA to consider an unprecedented early return of astronauts.