NASA has abruptly postponed a critical spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) following a medical issue involving one of the crew members. The space agency confirmed the astronaut is in stable condition, but the incident has forced a reassessment of the ongoing Crew-11 mission's timeline, which was originally scheduled to last until mid-February.
Spacewalk Scrapped, Mission Timeline in Question
The scheduled spacewalk for Thursday, June 26th, 2025, was cancelled after an undisclosed medical problem arose with an unnamed astronaut. The extravehicular activity (EVA) was to be conducted by veteran astronaut Mike Fincke and flight engineer Zena Cardman. Their task was to complete the installation of a truss that supports a new roll-out solar array, a crucial component for the station's power supply.
In a domino effect, a second spacewalk planned for the following week has also been postponed. NASA emphasized that deferring such activities due to health concerns is a standard safety protocol. The situation has sparked concerns that the Crew-11 mission might have to be cut short. The crew, which arrived at the ISS aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon on August 1st, 2025, was initially slated to remain until the arrival of the next crew in mid-February, with a return to Earth around February 20th.
Medical Conference Triggers Operational Halt
The issue came to light on Wednesday afternoon when Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui requested a private medical conference (PMC) with mission control on Earth. Using an encrypted communication line, Yui inquired about the availability of a flight surgeon and discussed how the ISS's live camera feeds could assist. In response, NASA provided assurance about the crew member's improving health and arranged for a private consultation.
As part of the response, the normal 24/7 public audio feed from the ISS was temporarily switched off to ensure medical privacy. This incident highlights how the health of a single astronaut can significantly disrupt the tightly scheduled operations aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Safety First: NASA's Protocol and Future Plans
NASA has stated that updates regarding the rescheduling of the postponed spacewalks will be provided within the next 24 hours. The agency reiterated that such unforeseen events are an expected part of long-duration space missions and that crew safety remains the absolute top priority.
The Crew-11 team comprises commander Mike Fincke, flight engineer Zena Cardman, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. At the time of the cancellation, Fincke and Cardman were preparing their suits and tools, while Yui and NASA astronaut Chris Williams were assisting them. This event underscores the inherent unpredictability of space exploration and the critical need for flexibility and robust contingency planning.
