TL;DR
NASA delayed a planned spacewalk from the International Space Station because of an unspecified medical issue affecting one crew member, who is reported to be in stable condition. The agency says it is reviewing options—including a possible early return for the Crew-11 team—and will announce a new date for the EVA in due course.
What happened
NASA called off a scheduled six-and-a-half-hour extravehicular activity from the International Space Station after a medical issue involving a single crew member emerged the day before the planned outing. The affected astronaut is described by NASA as stable; the agency provided few other details. The EVA had been intended to route and install electrical jumper cables for a future solar array, document hardware with photographs, and collect external microorganism samples. Crew-11 members Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman were the primary spacewalk participants, with Kimiya Yui and Chris Williams assigned to suit-up operations. While the EVA was postponed, other station personnel continued scientific work: two Roscosmos flight engineers explored AI tools for transcribing audio logs, and others worked on physics and microbiology experiments and camera maintenance. NASA said it is actively evaluating all options for Crew-11, including the possibility of bringing the crew home earlier than planned.
Why it matters
- Astronaut health determines operational plans aboard the ISS; medical issues can prompt rapid schedule changes.
- Delaying the EVA may defer maintenance and installation tasks tied to future power-generation hardware.
- A potential early return for Crew-11 could affect crew rotation and logistics for upcoming missions.
- Station-based scientific work and experiments can be disrupted or reassigned when crew schedules shift.
Key facts
- NASA postponed the planned spacewalk because of an undisclosed medical concern involving one crew member.
- The issue reportedly arose the day before the scheduled EVA; the astronaut is in stable condition, per NASA.
- Crew-11 comprises NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.
- The EVA was expected to last about six and a half hours to route jumper cables for a future solar array, install those cables, photograph hardware, and collect microorganism samples.
- Kimiya Yui and Chris Williams were assigned to suit-up support for the postponed spacewalk.
- While preparations were under way, other station crew members worked on research tasks, AI transcription experiments, and camera maintenance.
- NASA said it is assessing options, including the possibility of an earlier end to the Crew-11 mission.
- SpaceX Crew-12 is scheduled to launch no earlier than February 15, 2026, a date that may factor into timing and logistics.
What to watch next
- NASA updates on the medical status of the affected crew member and any additional details about the condition.
- A revised schedule for the postponed spacewalk, which NASA has said it will announce in the near future.
- Whether NASA decides to end the Crew-11 mission earlier than planned and how that would affect station operations and crew rotations.
Quick glossary
- International Space Station (ISS): A habitable research facility in low Earth orbit where international crews conduct science, maintenance, and technology demonstrations.
- Spacewalk (EVA): An extravehicular activity where astronauts exit the spacecraft to perform work outside the station, such as repairs or installations.
- Suit-up operations: Preparations and procedures to don and check spacesuits and related systems before an EVA.
- Jumper cables (in this context): Short electrical connections used to link or route power and signals between components on spacecraft or station hardware.
Reader FAQ
Why was the spacewalk postponed?
NASA postponed the EVA due to an undisclosed medical concern involving one crew member.
Is the affected astronaut okay?
NASA says the crew member is in stable condition.
Will Crew-11 return to Earth early?
NASA is evaluating options, including a potential earlier end to Crew-11's mission.
When will the spacewalk be rescheduled?
NASA is expected to announce a new date, but no rescheduling details have been released yet.
SCIENCE 2 ISS spacewalk postponed over mystery astronaut malady NASA mulling options, including an early trip home Richard Speed Thu 8 Jan 2026 // 14:48 UTC NASA has postponed today's spacewalk outside the International…
Sources
- ISS spacewalk postponed over mystery astronaut malady
- NASA weighs cutting short International Space Station …
- NASA May Have To Bring Four Astronauts Back From The …
- NASA halts spacewalk due to astronaut 'medical concern'
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