A NASA astronaut has been hospitalized following a recent return from the International Space Station (ISS). The astronaut’s medical condition is unspecified, but NASA confirmed that they are stable. The four-member Crew-8 mission successfully splashed down off the coast of Florida early Friday after spending nearly eight months aboard the ISS.
Successful Splashdown
During the journey back to Earth, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft performed a normal re-entry and splashdown. NASA reported that the recovery of both the crew and the spacecraft proceeded without any issues.
Routine Medical Checks
Upon returning, routine medical assessments were conducted on the recovery ship. An “additional evaluation of the crew members was requested out of an abundance of caution,” according to a NASA blog post, but details were not provided.
Hospitalization Details
NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin were flown to Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola for medical evaluation. Three astronauts were released after assessments, while one NASA astronaut remains in the hospital for “observation as a precautionary measure.”
Privacy and Updates
NASA has chosen not to disclose specific medical details to protect the crew member’s privacy. The agency promises to provide updates as more information becomes available.