Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Oliver Holmes

Nasa orders its first-ever space station medical evacuation after astronaut falls ill

Four astronauts in their space suits wave before their departure to the ISS
The returning astronauts are, from left to right, Russia’s Oleg Platonov, Nasa’s Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman and Japan’s Kimiya Yui. Photograph: Gregg Newton/AFP/Getty Images

Nasa has ordered its first medical evacuation from the International Space Station in its 25-year history after an astronaut in the orbital laboratory fell ill with a “serious” but undisclosed issue.

The US space agency said in a press conference that the crew of four led by the US commander Zena Cardman would return to Earth in the coming days, earlier than planned.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.